A message to North Korea as U.S. President Barack Obama stands side by side with South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the White House Tuesday.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:

"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 says it is a new era.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:

"The days when North Korea could create a crisis and illicit concessions -- those days are over."

But he also left the door open to a different future.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:

"We are going to maintain a strong deterrent, we're not going to reward provocative behavior, but we remain open to the prospect of North Korea taking a peaceful path."

At the wide-ranging news conference Obama was also asked a