Washington ( CNN ) -- The future of the Korean peninsula relies on U.S. involvement in the peace process , South Korean President Park Geun-hye told a joint meeting of Congress Wednesday . Park said that despite recent tensions with communist North Korea , reunification of the Koreas is possible , even if it `` feels distant today . '' `` North Korea continues to issue threats and provocations , firing long range missiles , staging nuclear tests and undermining peace on the peninsula and far beyond it , '' Park said . `` The Korean government is reacting resolutely but calmly . We maintain the highest level of readiness . '' And as long as the United States and South Korea maintain their strong relationship , Park said , `` You may rest assured , no North Koreans provocation can succeed . '' Throughout much of late March and April , North Korea ratcheted tensions with the United States and South Korea by issuing a cadre of bellicose statements on nuclear war with the South . Recently , however , tensions have begun to wane , signaled by the fact that , according to a U.S. official , North Korea has withdrawn two mobile ballistic missiles from a launch site in the eastern part of the country . Initially , U.S. defense officials told CNN that the missiles ' movements to the area signaled North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un was planning to test launch missiles . In response , the United States and Japan stepped up missile defenses in the region . Park said moves like this did nothing for the peace process . `` I am confident that trust is the path to peace , the path to a Korea that is whole again , '' she said . `` The Republic of Korea will never accept a nuclear armed North Korea . Pyongyang 's provocations will be met decisively . '' The North has long used missile tests and its nuclear arsenal as a way to extract concessions and rewards from the international community . Park said this strategy is part of the North 's `` incompatible '' aim to pursue `` two goals at once . '' `` You can not have your cake and eat it too , '' Park said . Her speech to Congress comes just a day after she met with President Barack Obama at the White House . Obama , in a news conference after the meeting , said that North Korea 's recent provocations have only made the United States and South Korea closer . `` If Pyongyang thought its recent threats would drive a wedge between South Korea and the United States or somehow garner the North international respect , today is further evidence that North Korea has failed again , '' Obama said . `` The United States and the Republic of Korea are as united as ever ... North Korea is more isolated than ever . '' Park , South Korea 's first female president , took office in February , shortly before North Korea conducted its most recent nuclear test and has since taken a tough stance on perceived aggression from the North . In an interview with CBS Monday , Park said even a small attack would warrant a military response . `` Yes , we will make them pay , '' she said . In her remarks Wednesday , Park also singled out the four current members of Congress who served during the Korean War -- Rep. John Conyers , Rep. Charles Rangel , Rep. Sam Johnson and Rep. Howard Coble . Each congressman stood as Park acknowledged them and received loud applause for their service . `` Gentleman , my country thanks you , '' she said . Park said as part of her visit , she traveled to the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall in Washington . Citing an inscription at the monument -- `` Our nation honors our sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met '' -- Park reflected on what those words meant to the country she now leads . `` Time and again , I am moved when I read those familiar words , '' she said . `` Our profound gratitude to America 's veterans , their blood , sweat and tears helped safeguard freedom and democracy . '' CNN 's Gabriella Schwarz and Barbara Starr contributed to this report .
South Korea 's president says even a small attack from the North would warrant military response . North Korea made strong threats about attacks earlier this year . Park met with President Barack Obama Tuesday .