NEW YORK (AP) - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is urging North Korea not to take any "provocative" actions that could undermine peace talks.

Clinton told the Asia Society it is incumbent on North Korea to avoid any provocative actions if it hopes to improve relations with the U.S. and join the international community.

She said the Obama administration would "normalize" relations with North Korea if it agrees to verify that it has abandoned its nuclear weapons program.

Clinton spoke Friday on the eve of a tour of Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China.

The Associated Press, February 13, 2009