U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe separately late Monday about North Korea's recent missile launch, the White House said Tuesday. "The ... leaders condemned the launch, and they agreed that it represents yet another destabilizing and provocative action by North Korea in flagrant violation of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions," the White House said in a statement. President Obama assured both allies that U.S. commitment to them is "ironclad" and will "take any steps necessary" in their defense, according to the statement. "The ... leaders underscored the importance of a strong and united international response to North Korea's provocations, including through a robust U.N. Security Council Resolution," the White House said.
