The United States is considering the creation of a national missile defense, partly out of concern that North Korea may someday direct ICBM's at American cities. North Korea has for years ignored American efforts to stop it from exporting missiles. There are indications that Pyongyang may be beginning to listen to those concerns. Albright's visit to North Korea followed one by China's defense minister, Gen. Chi Haotian. In meetings Sunday with North Korea's defense minister, Vice Marshal Kim Il Chol, Chi promised that China would maintain strong military ties with Pyongyang, according to Chinese state media.
China has ties with both North and South Korea.
After two days of talks in North Korea, Albright planned to fly across the Demilitarized Zone to Seoul to brief senior officials from Japan and South Korea. Both nations continue to be nervous about North Korea's military.