The White House says the U.S. will improve relations with North Korea once Pyongyang abides by international obligations regarding its nuclear programs.

Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, said in an article posted on the White House Web site Tuesday that the North will be isolated if it fails to observe international obligations.

The article, which assessed U.S. President Barack Obama’s first year in office, said the United States secured the strongest U.N. Security Council resolution to date to prevent North Korea’s proliferation activities.

The article added that Obama continues to present a clear choice to the North, which is that if it abides by its obligations, the door is open to a better relationship with the international community, while if it doesn’t, it will be isolated.