``As regards the missile issue, we are always ready for negotiation if the hostile nations honestly ask for it out of an intention to alleviate our concern,'' North Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying in the state media.

The spokesman said in a report carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) that his country had developed missiles because the United States had consistently posed a threat by stationing itself in rival South Korea.

``We have been compelled to develop missiles entirely because the United States, a warring party ... still harbors a wild ambition for military invasion of the DPRK (North Korea). This is a self-defensive measure we have adopted unavoidably,'' the spokesman said.

While repeating that it was ready to counter any advances against them, the North Korean official said that Pyongyang would not take an initiative to start a conflict by striking first.

``There would be no reason for us to fire missiles at the United States if they are not a warring party and if they do nothing harmful to us, even if our missiles can reach the U.S. mainland,'' the spokesman said.

The official reiterated Pyongyang's statement that the rocket launch over Japanese territory in August 1998 was a satellite and that his country reserved the right to develop both satellites and missiles.

Japan, as well as the United States and South Korea, have recently expressed concern that reclusive North Korea may be preparing to launch a Taepodong-2 missile believed capable of reaching parts of the United States.

They have urged Pyongyang not to test-fire the missile and have warned North Korea of ``serious consequences'' if it goes ahead with another missile test.

On Tuesday, Japanese officials said they did not detect any signs suggesting North Korea will fire its missile in the next two months.