Obama Arrives in South Korea for Nuclear Summit, Greets Troops at DMZ
- Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:13am by
Christopher Santarelli
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(The Blaze/AP) — President Barack Obama is opening his pitch for faster work to lock down nuclear material that could be used by terrorists with an up-close look at the nuclear front lines along the heavily militarized border with volatile North Korea.
Obama arrived in Seoul on Sunday morning, local time, for three days of diplomacy. In the midst of an election year focused on economic concerns at home, Obama has designed a rare Asia visit that features time in just one country. He’ll use much of the time to keep pressure on North Korea to back off a planned rocket launch and return to disarmament talks.
AP
The goal of the large gathering of world leaders is to secure nuclear material and prevent it from being smuggled to states or groups intent on mass destruction. Progress has been uneven since the ambitious goal of lockdown by 2014 was first set out by Obama at a similar session in Washington in 2010. No breakthroughs are expected now.
Right across the border but not participating: nuclear North Korea, labeled by the White House as “the odd man out.” It is brinksmanship with North Korea and Iran, another nation not invited to the summit, that has dominated much of the nuclear debate and that will cast an unquestionable shadow over talks in Seoul.
AP
Obama has called nuclear terrorism the gravest threat the United States and the world may face. North Korea is a prime suspect in the proliferation of some nuclear know-how, along with missiles that could be used to deliver weapons of mass destruction. Iran is suspected in the arming of terrorists with non-nuclear weaponry, and the U.S. and other nations suspect Iran’s nuclear energy program could be converted to build a bomb.
Syria, Pakistan and other global trouble spots are also on the agenda for separate meetings with global leaders attending a progress-check summit of more than 50 nations on Obama’s goal of locking down nuclear material around the world by 2014.
Obama’s first business: a visit to the volatile Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea, a show of strength amid confusion and disappointment over the state of diplomacy with the nuclear-armed North.
AP
The symbolic visit to the border separating the Korean peninsula will be the fourth by a U.S. president. Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all visited the DMZ; other U.S. officials regularly go there.
The border zone is a Cold War anachronism, a legacy of the uncertain armistice that ended the Korean War nearly 60 years ago. Hundreds of thousands of troops stand ready on both sides of the border zone, which is littered with land mines and encased in razor wire. Obama officials said the goal is to thank U.S. and South Korean military members and show U.S. resolve from “the front line of democracy” on the peninsula.
The United States has more than 28,000 troops in South Korea.
North Korea plans to launch a satellite using a long-range rocket next month, which the U.S. and other powers say would violate a U.N. ban on nuclear and missile activity because the same technology could be used for long-range missiles. Taken by surprise, the U.S. warned that a deal to resume stalled food aid to the North could be jeopardized if North Korea goes ahead.
The U.S. considers the rocket launch practice for a ballistic missile test and a violation of North Korea’s international responsibilities. The planned launch appears to be part of a long pattern of steps forward, then back in U.S. dealings with North Korea, and plays into Republican claims that Obama is being played for the fool.
Campaign politics surrounding a sitting president typically subside when he is abroad, although Obama’s posture toward threats to America will be scrutinized by his rivals.
The timing comes as daily economic worries, not foreign ones, are driving the concerns of American voters. Yet the setting does give Obama a few days to hold forth on the world stage while, back home, Republican presidential candidates keep battling each other.
Halfway into the four-year effort to safeguard nuclear materials from terrorists, many nations have taken voluntary steps to corral material that could be used for terrorist weapons. But they have sidestepped larger questions about how to track all such material, measure compliance and enforce security.
The summit will bring together nuclear-armed nations, plus those with civilian nuclear energy plants and several seeking to build them. Several non-nuclear nations and international organizations, including the U.N. and the International Atomic Energy Agency, are attending.
Countries known or suspected to have nuclear weapons are the U.S., Russia, Britain, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
Scores of countries still have research reactors fueled by weapons-usable uranium, and medical devices that use radioactive materials that could be fashioned into a “dirty bomb” are scattered all over the world.
NBC News reports on the president’s three day trip:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
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Comments (214)
BehindBlueEyes
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:26amGood picture of an idiot abroad.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:14amI wouldn’t doubt they had to tell him what end to look through.
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:32amGood one
Report Post »Carl Obozo
Will he bungee Jump this time…
banjarmon
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:49amMr prez…step across the line and stay there!!!!
Report Post »MBA
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:51amThat’s what I thought–very symbolic–sees red, likes, red, wants to be red.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:55amNotice his eyes in the top of the red lens!!
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 12:04pmHe wanted to walk up to the Chosin reservoir to see where
Report Post »G.S. Patton landed on D Day But the N Koreans said the park was
closed for repairs.
maccow
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 12:05pmHe’s looking into North Korea and seeing our future.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 12:08pmI‘m shocked he wasn’t on the North Korean side, looking at South Korea thru the binocs……
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:08pm@AMERICA4EVER
Report Post »Not everyone has that problem, I think your experience was unique.
liberalescheisskopf
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:28pmThe idiot left the covers on the binoculars……(sarc)…remember?
Report Post »Jinglebob
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:17pmI rally like the posed photo of Obama looking through the glasses (at the photographer) showing the World that he is out there for us. I also like the bullet proof glass enclosure. I guess the North Koreans have long range snipper rifles.
Report Post »michael48
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:15pmis that where the 57th state is??? no chairman O commie, that’s where they make your tele-tantrum device…any golf courses??? no, but lots of mine fields…tee it up chairman , yep tee it high and let her fly…
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:19pmOur Little Soldier Boy
He will announce a new agreement with North Korea to give them more nuclear power plants so they can provide free electricity to their people and China. When Obama bows down to apologize to North Korea fore the DMZ, will they be able to see and hear his apology? Maybe he will stay there.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:24pmThis Makes Me So Angry
It was Democrat-Commie President Clinton who gave nuclear technology and nuclear material to North Korea. North Korea gave technology and material to Iran and now this Kenyan born imposter is going to negotiate the total nuclear disarmament of the USA. I have been having bad dreams at night since Obama became president, have you?
Report Post »Miami
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:38pmGuys, you all have it all wrong, those are his new portable TelePrompTer. If he gets questions on the go, it’ll relieve his stuttering so he does not ig.ig.ignite a nu.nu.nuclear in.in.incident, by missssspeaking.
Report Post »MYHEROISRON
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 6:07pmSomeone should have put black shoe polish on the eye pieces to those binoculars, you know, just for fun … kinda like what RADAR did to Colonel, that’s BIRD COLONEL, Sherman T. Potter!! When in Korea …
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 8:04pmHe got all giddie looking at the wonderful ‘socialist, workers, paradise’ across the DMZ. Wonder if he wants an ‘open border’ there?
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:10amIs it just me or did anyone else have the thought that it‘s important to know he’s not sending a signal with those glasses that we’re busy this is the time to strike?
Report Post »Something just isn’t right about this particular visit. Maybe it’s just the parent in me saying “What parent in their right mind goes over seas as his 13 year old daughter is returning from a week away from home in a land where they’ve just had a 7.2 earthquake that affected the village next to her? It just doesn’t seem right no matter how long this may have been scheduled.
GaryInTheMiddle
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:22amOnly 7 more months to endure this fool.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:34amGary I hope your right but I think Obama and his proxies have other plans. My guess is we’ll never see a 2012 election.
Report Post »the gray lensman
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:28amBlueeyes does have a point. The Left cannot afford to allow anything to spoil their distopian timetable. As Glenn put it, we are in phase 2 of the final plan. All of the Lefties will do whatever they feel they need to in order to keep Barack Obama in control of the executive branch of our government. Bottom up, top down, inside out is coming to cities everywhere this year. That would offer the excuse for an indefinite postponement of elections, martial law,and all of the things he has at his disposal to usher in a Communist takeover of this country.
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:35amRed eyes staring back
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:47amBig brother, watching.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:25amLooking at a Dictatorial Communist nation and daydreaming of what the future could hold if he gets his way…!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:33amThis would be the bubble over his head….
Ahh what if, no Constitution to follow, no pesky congress to deal with, just his Alinsky manual to guide him.
What will it take for the sleepers too awaken…?
Report Post »tiredofprogressives
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:23amThis guy is a DODO Bird.
Report Post »mauijonny
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:10am“The Orphan Master’s Son” is a timely book about NK and just a good read.
Report Post »capnjack
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:03amGood Lord, he even holds the binocular like a girl.
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:11amShow the clip where Obama says – North Korea is our biggest Allie – and N Korea pack a punch bigger than it’s size. What a phony!
We need to really watch these guys – Carter gave away the Panama Canal – no telling what Obama might be giving away!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:38amMy thoughts exactly! What a prissy, icky, sick, sad, twisted soul.
Also thought the “red eyes” quite true to whose he is.
PRAY ON, CHRISTIANS. It time for some GOD-hope and GOD-change.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 8:44amHey Cap…give him some slack….he was raised by a Tranny Nanny….what does he know?
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 8:54amHe’s looking at picture of male N. Korean porn through the binoculars.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:19am@db321
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:11am
Show the clip where Obama says – North Korea is our biggest Allie – and N Korea pack a punch bigger than it’s size. What a phony!
We need to really watch these guys – Carter gave away the Panama Canal – no telling what Obama might be giving away!
Report Post »***
Probably his keys to the Oval office, let’s hope they change the locks on him again!
tiredofprogressives
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:48amLook at our “Commander in Chief”.
He looks like a DoDo Bird.
Report Post »bak2basics
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:45amAmerican demand our Leather Jacket Back w/the American Prez. Emblem. That is reserved for true Americans.
Report Post »disgustedAmerican
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:44amHe is looking through his binoculars saying in his mind…, ” This is what I want for America. My own dictatorship and control like Jong Il…” The signing of HR 374 says it all
Report Post »warrior21
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:53amHmmmm! If BO is looking through his rose-covered glasses and bullet-proof glass the photographer must be standing in the middle of the DMZ. God, don’t you just love our brave President.
Report Post »disgustedAmerican
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:55amBrave my ass… I don’t love liars and cowards
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:06amI would just like the Blaze to replace the Photo of Obama looking through the Red Lens Binoculars – That photo freaks me out!
Report Post »Jinglebob
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 7:10pmSome of those photos look like they were shot by the North Koreans, or perhaps, in his hotel suite.
Report Post »campt1
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:42amHe hasn’t got a clue what went on there. I wonder how he will get us in trouble with them now. Everywhere he goes turns to $#!t.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:46amObama has the Sadim touch.
Report Post »shustring
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:38amattn: THE BLAZE…..can you people do something about your header stories…
I mean, every single time I load it I am blinded by this pic of Barry looking through some
Report Post »red glasses….plz….it is hurting my eyes already !!
GO-FOR-LIBERTY
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 7:26amThey would but they can’t. You see there is so much commie blood in Bam Bam that it just runs out of him no matter what picture is posted. Fills up everything he touches.
Report Post »bigbear_awake
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 11:27amdont even show his face at all would be great
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:07pmUse a hoodie.
Report Post »oiljackpot
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:30amObama a sign of strength? I’m rolling on the floor.
Report Post »shustring
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:40amyou’re rolling on the floor??? I havent made it up yet…the head pic with the red glasses knocked me down and I havent recovered yet !!
Report Post »Warm In The Desert
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:28amAnd through rose colored glasses thinking…Sweet Home Chicago
Report Post »EP46
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 8:48amDid they present him a bouquet of Red poppies ?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:11amObama looks lovingly across the DMZ, licking his lips as he wondered “Could I someday command a nation as wonderous as this?” His heart aflutter as the North Korean soldiers look back at him, “My leader” their hearts cry. But, as he put his field glasses down, for another day, I have work to do, but my vision will lead to this point. I will have my North Korean parade, someday.
Joe Biden sits in the corner, dancing, trying to soothe his wonderous leaders nerves. Dance Joe, Dance. Look, something shiney.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:32amI forgot to mention, do you notice how he is looking through “Red” lenses.
Report Post »tbear44
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:51amDid he bow to anyone?
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:00amHe courtseid to his own vision. Just that.
Report Post »tbear44
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:03amHe should have just crossed over to NK. He would feel right at home.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 3:20amTbear, the only problem is, there is only room for one Meglomaniac on this continent. He has to build his own North Korea under Canada.
Report Post »Warm In The Desert
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:09amHark…their lies North Korea.
A peoples starving, desperately in need of jobs, enslaved and impoverished by their leader, wishing only to be free from tyranny and oppression.
Zero thinks….’I have much more work to do…Kim Jong and Kim Il velly goot, and if I get erected again, may I be as great as they.’
To America…dispatch this person from office via your vote, with extreme prejudice.
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:59amHow heroic. For an American President to peer across the battle line that has been in existence for over 60 years just thrills me. This is so much more dangerous than JFK proclaiming “Ich bin ein Berliner” from behind the Iron Curtain. So much more heroic that Ronald Reagan calling for Gorbechav to “tear down this wall” from the gate facing the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact.
All hair. Obama has set a new standard for an American President. Wow!
Report Post »vtxphantom
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:56amWere are soldiers ordered to disarm while the algae president was in town?
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:44amHow’s that milage going for Air Force One on Solar Panels going??? oops, Reusing restaurant fry oil ? Nope? Ok, how about wind power? Naw?
Geeze, how many miles has this guy logged on OUR dime in the past friggin week???
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:40amWhat an embarrassment.
Report Post »CanteenBoy
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:37amstray projectile
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:32amMy thoughts, exactly.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 9:36amThis is the IRS…we will be visiting you two soon….
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 10:23amThe IRS can kiss my ass as well.
Report Post »edorfox
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:35amFunny, anyone else notice the POTUS using cheap Chinese optics to spy on the North…symbolism?
Report Post »Gatekeeper
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:42amseriously? sigh….
Report Post »marion
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:32amI can’t believe the thickness of that bullet proof glass (I assume) just so he can look through rose colored glasses, which doesn’t to a darn bit of good to work on the problem itself, just gives him another thing to write about in his memoirs I won’t read.
Report Post »Unc68
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:36amsee that look of longing on his face? He is thinking, ‘that Kim fella sure is lucky, no tea party or congress to contend with’.
Report Post »Salamander
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:41amI thought that was his Teleprompter!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:26amOH my goodness … I have never seen anyone more geeky with a pair of binoculars… has he ever used a pair before .. you don’t have to stick your head forward to see further … LOL.
Report Post »tbear44
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 2:52amThat’s funny.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 4:47amSame thought about straining to see. I suspect the “man”? has never, ever used binoculars before in his life. Maybe his feminine side kicks in when he’s scared?
Gee, that was a tacky thing to say. : )
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:54amMy thougths exactly!
He is SO out of his element….doing things that REAL MEN do.
Report Post »I BET they had to take the binoculars from him – TURN THEM AROUND AND SHOW HIM
WHICH END TO LOOK THROUGH.
lukerw
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 5:19pmHe’s saying… those girls… ‘Moon’ing us… I can see… everything… with these!
Report Post »AmazingGrace8
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 6:37pmPresident Obama thought, how genius of the Koreans’..a Two-Tube kaleidoscope.
And then”Mr.Cool” displayed to the crowd his own version of: The Hunt For Red October..Dah,da..
I really don’t understand why President Obama is concerned about negative intentions of other countries.At the start of his term & all during, the USA is the worse of the worse. Hummm
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:18amNOW! Do it Now!
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 1:41amYou got it-my BIGGEST laugh of the day! lol
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on March 25, 2012 at 8:15amThat IS funny!
Report Post »