VIENTIANE: US President Barack Obama warned North Korea on Tuesday that it was deepening its international isolation following recent missile tests that were hailed by the reclusive state's leader as "perfect".
Obama also held talks with South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye on the sidelines of a regional summit in Laos about Pyongyang's firing of three mid-ranged missiles on Monday.
The tests were a new show of force as world leaders met for a G20 gathering in China before Obama and many other Asian leaders travelled to Laos.
"North Korea needs to know that provocations will only invite more pressure and further deepen its isolation," Obama told reporters after meeting Park in Vientiane.
Park described the launches as a "reckless provocation (that) will lead North Korea down the path of self-destruction".
Pyongyang has conducted a fourth nuclear test and a series of missile tests this year in defiance of UN sanctions, prompting South Korea to announce plans to deploy a US anti-missile system to counter such threats.
In spite of tough global sanctions, Pyongyang continues to ignore the international community's calls for a halt to its weapons programme.
Pressure on Pyongyang is expected to intensify later Tuesday when the 15-member UN Security Council convenes in New York to consider a response to the latest in a series of tests.
But despite the global chorus of disapproval, Pyongyang is unrepentant.
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