Experts call it a worrisome indication that North Korea's enigmatic leader, Kim Jong Il, wants either to threaten his neighbors or to produce a dangerous new export.

Last week, the Clinton administration also was trying to presuade North Korea to give U.S. inspectors access to a suspected underground nuclear site at Keumjang-ri. Pyongyang wants $300 million and a formal apology as the price for visiting Keumjang-ri