One of his areas of specialty at the State Department was North Korea's nuclear program.
Two years ago, almost no one outside of North Korea-watching circles had heard of him.
Not allowing countries to withdraw from the NPT - something North Korea has done recently.
Iran has in the past declined to discuss any allegations of arms deals with North Korea.
North Korea was informed on Feb. 21 of the drills, which run through March 21.
China, North Korea's main backer, has not yet given its official reaction to Kim Jong-il's death.
China is by far North Korea's most important formal ally, and overwhelmingly its biggest trading partner.
Hopes that North Korea was about to change have been raised before, only to be dashed.
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Russia and China today -- they say they oppose any military intervention in North Korea.
The statement and North Korea's state media did not say what the two leaders will discuss.
The six-party talks involved China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, North Korea and the United States.
But it is North Korea that continues to dominate international news in China's media.
The United Nations imposed tough sanctions on North Korea last month following its third nuclear test.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the latest rhetoric only deepened North Korea's isolation.
They are located around 10km (6.2 miles) from North Korea at their nearest point.
China, North Korea's closest ally, has called for calm and restraint on the Korean peninsula.
Those talks include the United States, North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia.
Diplomats are discussing initial steps that could lead to North Korea ending its nuclear programs.
China is the largest trading partner, economic benefactor and political supporter of North Korea.
There are reports that North Korea fired a number of short range missiles this morning.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said the boycott by North Korea would harm the country's credibility.
But he has said several times that America has no intention of attacking North Korea.
The so-called six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program had come to a standstill.
The talks have included China, the U.S., South Korea, Russia, Japan and North Korea.
Continued improvement of relations between North Korea and South Korea, leading to their eventual peaceful unification.
Just weeks after Mr. Obama took office, North Korea conducted its second nuclear weapons test.
The Obama administration is growing increasingly alarmed by the advances in North Korea's nuclear program.
South Korean intelligence estimates that North Korea has about 700 such missiles in its arsenal.
South Korea's Unification Ministry, responsible for relations with North Korea, put the burden on Pyongyang.
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