Obama to eliminate N. Korean nukes through tough, direct diplomacy: White House

The new Barack Obama administration will get rid of North Korea`s nuclear weapons programs "through tough and direct diplomacy," the White House was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.



The administration plans to "use tough diplomacy -- backed by real incentives and real pressures -- to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to eliminate fully and verifiably North Korea`s nuclear weapons program," according to a foreign policy agenda posted on the White House Web site.



The Web posting comes one day after Obama said in his swearing-in ceremony Tuesday that "with old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat."



The website also said that "Obama and (Vice President) Biden will crack down on nuclear proliferation by strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty so that countries like North Korea and Iran that break the rules will automatically face strong international sanctions."



North Korea is suspected of being involved in the construction of a nuclear facility in Syria that was destroyed by an Israeli air bombing in September.