Five take-aways from President Obama's news conference in Seoul
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) - President Obama will speak with key European leaders about the crisis in Ukraine Friday. But earlier in the day at a joint news conference with President Park Geun-hye of South Korea, Obama acknowledged the sanctions against Russia put in place by the U.S. and its allies may not ultimately change Vladimir Putin's calculus.
"I think that's self-apparent," Obama said when asked if the Russian president may simply remain unresponsive to the economic pressure.
Obama marks 'forgotten war' on Korean peninsula
Washington (CNN) - No veteran should be forgotten, President Barack Obama said Saturday while commemorating the end 60 years ago of the Korean conflict, sometimes described as the "forgotten war."
He laid a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall and spoke to veterans and family members with ties to both U.S. and Korean troops, an audience estimated by event organizers to number 5,000.
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Obama: 'North Korea has failed again'
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Tuesday nuclear aggression from North Korea has further isolated the region and vowed to use all means to deter further provocations.
"If Pyongyang thought its recent threats would drive a wedge between South Korea and the United States or somehow garner the North international respect, today is further evidence that North Korea has failed again," Obama said during a joint press conference with the two leaders. "The United States and the Republic of Korea are as united as ever ... North Korea is more isolated than ever."
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Official: Ahead of visit, U.S.-South Korea ties stronger than ever
Washington (CNN) - On the eve of meetings between President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, a White House official says the recent saber rattling by North Korea has only strengthened the relationship between the allies.
Daniel Russel, White House special assistant and senior director for Asian affairs, told reporters on a conference call Monday Obama will use Park’s visit to "reaffirm the strong commitment" of the U.S. to the defense of the Republic of South Korea.
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First on CNN: Obama's open mic a Republican open season
(CNN) - Republicans wasted no time Monday pouncing on President Barack Obama's now-controversial "open-mic" comment with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
In a new web video, the Republican National Committee painted a stark picture of Obama's exchange with the Russian leader, introducing the conversation with the text: "What Obama tells world leaders when he thinks you aren't listening."
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Obama arrives in South Korea for nuclear summit
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) - President Barack Obama arrived in South Korea on Sunday for a three-day trip centered on an international nuclear security summit in Seoul.
He flew into Seoul, where he is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak.
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Obama, South Korean leader tout trade deal in Michigan
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart hit the road together Friday, traveling to the heart of America's Rust Belt to tout a recently approved trade deal between Washington and Seoul.
Obama also used the occasion to defend his controversial 2009 bailout of the U.S. auto industry, which has shown recent signs of recovery.
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Ambassador to Korea confirmed as state dinner hour approached
Washington (CNN) - The U.S. Senate confirmed Sung Y. Kim to be the next U.S. Ambassador to South Korea on Thursday after a Republican Senator lifted a hold on the nomination that threatened to halt the current momentum in strengthening ties between the two countries.
Following a unanimous consent request by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) to move the nomination forward, Kerry's request was approved without objection. Kim's confirmation came just minutes before South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was to address a joint meeting of Congress, and a few hours before President Obama was set to host a State dinner at the White House in Lee's honor.
PREVIOUSLY: Guess who is not coming to the South Korea state dinner?
South Korean president visits White House after trade boost
Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama welcomed his South Korean counterpart to the White House on Thursday, a day after Congress approved a free-trade agreement between the two nations.
Obama hailed President Lee Myung-Bak as a "good friend and partner" at a welcoming ceremony.
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Senate standoff stalls ambassadorship before state dinner
(CNN) - State visits for foreign leaders are meant to signify the importance the U.S. president places on the relationship with a particular country.
Such is the case for South Korea, whose president, Lee Myung-bak, arrives in Washington later this week for a state visit. Lee's arrival comes on the heels of a free trade agreement with Seoul being sent last week to Congress for final approval.
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