U.S. President Barack Obama is likely to put an emphasis on issues related to North Korea when he visits Asia this week and the next.

National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer made the comment to KBS on Friday as he discussed Obama’s agendas for his trips to India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.

Hammer stressed that in order to resume the stalled six-way nuclear talks and for the North to engage in dialogue with the U.S., Pyongyang must demonstrate sincerity toward resolving issues related to its nuclear ambitions.

In particular, Hammer said that South Korea has smoothly handled sensitive issues concerning Pyongyang, including the sinking of the “Cheonan” naval ship. Hammer said that Obama will listen closely to President Lee Myung-bak’s ideas on issues related to North Korea during his trip to Seoul to attend the G20 summit.

Hammer said that the Republican Party’s triumph in the midterm elections in the U.S. is not expected to bring about changes to Washington’s policies on the North as such policies have been devised based on bipartisan support.