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U.S. President Barack Obama and the South Korean president Lee Myung-bak on Thursday agreed on the need for an international response "strong and united" if North Korea goes ahead with its threat to launch a rocket.

The two presidents met at a separate summit of the twenty richest nations of the world known as G-20, which faces the challenge of trying to redirect the ailing world economy.


The two leaders spoke before meeting with their peers in a meeting to coordinate responses to contribute to economic recovery.

North Korea says it will put into orbit a communications satellite with a multi-stage rocket sometime between Saturday and Wednesday, but United States, Japan and South Korea see it as a test of missile technology and a possible violation of a Security Council resolution the United Nations.


Obama said Wednesday the Chinese President Hu Jintao that the United States considered launching as a provocation and that he will seek sanctions in the UN.

After the meeting with Obama, the South Korean presidential office said in a statement that both leaders agreed to continue collaborating in a verifiable dismantling of North Korean nuclear program.


The statement added that the two agreed on the need for "a strong, united, the international community."

Senior White House officials confirmed this description of the encounter.


Obama told the press that South Korea is one of the closest friends and old allies of United States and praised the leadership of Lee. He added that the two discussed several issues, including the defense and "peace and stability on the Korean peninsula."