The impoverished country, whose economy is smaller than it was 20 years ago, has been subject to sanctions of some kind from the United States for almost all of its existence and since 2006 has seen United Nations sanctions imposed for its long range rocket and nuclear tests.
He has a lot to talk about: the Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents over the years, the rockets that now have all of Japan in their firing range, and the nuclear and other ambitions that make North Korea a founder-member of George Bush's "axis of evil".
And George Tenet recently told Congress that Iran still gets "significant" Russian help on long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.
North Korea has continued to work on its long-range-missile and nuclear programs since then, but its leaders haven't been quite as provocative in recent months.
Critics said missile defence was a futile quest; any country able to build long-range missiles and nuclear warheads would have the skill to devise countermeasures.
The Bush administration has said it wants the talks to focus on North Korea's programs to develop long-range missiles and nuclear weapons, its conventional forces on the South Korean border and its compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency rules.
American officials acknowledge that the launching would be the first major test for Mr. Obama in dealing with North Korea's ambitions to field long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.
The materials have many uses in long-range missiles and nuclear arms, including making engine nozzles that can withstand fiery temperatures and centrifuges that can enrich uranium into atomic fuel.
There was no immediate response from North Korea, which is heavily sanctioned for its past long-range rocket and nuclear tests and considers U.S. and South Korean military drills a preparation for an attack.
The feat was also certain to encourage Congressional supporters who contend that the United States should rapidly construct missile defenses to protect itself and its allies from countries like Iraq and North Korea, which officials say are attempting to develop long-range missiles and nuclear weapons.
The statement came in response to a report in The New York Times about a private letter from President Obama to his Russian counterpart, saying the proposed missile defense system would not be necessary if Moscow could help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons and nuclear warheads.
