NKorea 'ready' for Obama administration

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A North Korean diplomat says the communist country is ready to deal with any new U.S. administration following Barack Obama's election.

Those statements were made in New York, where talks about the north's dismantling of its nuclear weapons program are continuing. After a meeting with U.S. officials, the north's negotiator simply said his country is open to dialogue if the U.S. seeks it. But he warned North Korea will stand against isolation if that's the path the U.S. takes.

During his presidential campaign, Obama emphasized he's willing to continue direct talks with the North, something President Bush embraced during his second term.

Thursday, Obama spoke with South Korea's president, and pledged to work closely with him to help resolve the issue.