Clinton: N Korea nuke pursuit threatens world

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says North Korea\'s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles and \"pattern of provocations\" are a serious threat to Asian and world security. North Korea released a statement later Thursday at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations\' annual conference in Cambodia saying Washington\'s \"never-ending nuclear threat\" against the North has forced Pyongyang to build atomic weapons. Animosity runs high after a North Korean rocket launch in April that Washington and Seoul call a cover for a banned long-range missile test. North Korea says it was a satellite launch attempt. Clinton says Pyongyang\'s new leadership should focus on its people\'s \"needs and aspirations\" so it doesn\'t \"fall further behind.\" The North\'s statement says its nuclear program is a deterrent that reduces the risk of war.