John Kerry actually said...

But if he has a fundamentally new relationship with us, Japan and South Korea, that's a different story.

Above all, it means making clear to our allies that we will not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea and that we remain committed to our goal ...

We are committed to do what is necessary to protect the American people and to honor our commitments to our treaty allies.

The North wants agreements with the United States that are 'election-proof.'