Obama to meet with Japan, South Korea leaders on North Korea

President Barack Obama, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. AP FILE PHOTO

WASHINGTON— President Barack Obama will discuss the threat posed by North Korea during a meeting this week with the leaders of Japan and South Korea.

Obama will meet with South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington. The White House says they’ll discuss common responses to North Korea and regional security cooperation.

READ: US, South Korea and Japan vow tough response to North Korea

The meeting follows recent announcements by North Korea that the U.S. and treaty allies Japan and South Korea see as provocative and threatening. Earlier this month, Pyongyang said it had made more progress in missile development and also ordered its military on standby for nuclear strikes at any time.

READ: Anger, sanctions threats greet N. Korea rocket launch plans

Dozens of world leaders are heading to Washington for the nuclear summit.