WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush warned North Korea Thursday not to test-fire a long-range missile, bluntly saying that it would be unacceptable. Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said a missile launch would be followed by "various pressures."
During a day of elaborate ceremony to mark Koizumi's farewell as prime minister, the two leaders spoke about North Korean human rights, North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens, the thorny issue of U.S. beef trade in Japan and their close friendship.
But North Korea's reported preparations to test-fire a ballistic missile that could reach the United States was a major focus.
Bush said that he and Koizumi were concerned about what was loaded onto the missile and where North Korea intended to aim it.
Referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Bush said: "He has an obligation, it seems like to me and to the prime minister, that there be a full briefing to those of us who are concerned about this issue as to what his intentions are."
Separately, Lt. Gen. Michael Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told lawmakers that officials are looking at the full range of capabilities possessed by North Korea and are closely monitoring activities there.
The potential launch reports are "something that we do take very seriously and we need to ensure that we are prepared for," he said. "There are a variety of assessments as to whether a launch will occur and, if so, what type of launch it will be."
Koizumi said he and Bush planned to cooperate as events unfold. He declined to say what "various pressures" Pyongyang would face for a response.
The two leaders also took North Korea to task for human rights violations. Bush called a visit to his office by the mother of a Japanese girl kidnapped by North Korea one of the most touching moments of his presidency.
"It took everything I could not to weep listening to her," Bush said. "It also reminded me about the nature of the regime. What kind of regime would kidnap people?"
"The leader of North Korea is just going to have to make a decision," Bush said. "Does he want to be isolated from the world or is he interested in being an active participant in the nations of the world who care about their people and desire peace?"
Bush said he was pleased at a recent Japanese agreement to lift its ban on U.S. beef imports, pending planned inspections of U.S. meat processing plants. The Asian nation imposed the ban over concerns about mad cow disease.
"I think the Japanese people are going to like the taste of U.S. beef," Bush said of the agreement that gives U.S. ranchers access to a lucrative market.
Asserting Japan as an emerging player on the world stage, Koizumi said he and Bush discussed bilateral issues as well as international ones, including Iraq, Afghanistan, poverty and North Korea.
The countries released a joint statement that made reference to China's rise to power, saying that "robust U.S.-Japan cooperation embraces the dynamism of China and helps to maintain peace and tranquility in Northeast Asia."
In welcoming Koizumi to the White House, Bush thanked the prime minister for Japan's support in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for its help in confronting North Korea about its nuclear weapons ambitions.
"Decades ago our two fathers looked across the Pacific and saw adversaries, uncertainty and war," Bush told the prime minister at an elaborate arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn. "Today their sons look across that same ocean and see friends and opportunity and peace."
Koizumi said there has been no other world leader besides Bush with whom he has felt so much "heart-to-heart" friendship and trust.
Koizumi said he hoped his visit would allow the countries to "make even greater contributions to the numerous challenges in the world community."
Bush planned to fete Koizumi with a gala official dinner Thursday, part of a farewell visit for Koizumi before he steps down in September. The prime minister is a stalwart member of a dwindling group of world leaders willing to stand by the beleaguered president as bloodshed continues in Iraq and anger soars over U.S. foreign policy.
The best indicator of how Bush feels about Koizumi will come after the policy discussions and formal gatherings end, when the president treats Koizumi to a tour Friday of the home of the prime minister's musical hero, Elvis Presley, whose nickname is The King.
"Officially he's here to see the president, but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the king," joked Bush, who once gave Koizumi a juke box.
In concluding their joint news conference Thursday, Koizumi referenced a famous Presley song, saying, "Thank you very much, American people, for 'Love Me Tender."'
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