US doesn't know N Korea missile intent

WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) President George W Bush today said that North Korea should tell the world what it has atop a missile the United States believes it is preparing to launch.

''The North Koreans should notify the world of their intentions, what they have on top of that vehicle,'' Mr Bush said.

''So we don't know, we don't know, that's part of the problem, it's a non-transparent society that ought to be sharing its intentions with the rest of the world.'' US officials have said North Korea was preparing to test a long-range ballistic missile that some experts say could reach parts of the United States.

Washington and Tokyo have warned Pyongyang of a harsh response if it went ahead with the launch.

South Korea cautioned North Korea today that there would be a price to pay if it launched such a missile, using its strongest language yet to try to dissuade Pyongyang from a test-flight.

South Korea has previously said a missile test would pose a grave danger to regional security.

REUTERS SB RK2155