US President George W. Bush and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi warned on Thursday that the possible launch of long-range missile by North Korea  would be "unacceptable."

"We both agreed that it's very important for us to remain united in sending a clear message to the North Korean leader that, first of all, launching a missile is unacceptable," Bush said at a joint press conference with the Japanese prime minister in the White House.

"There have been no briefings as to what's on top of the missile. He hasn't told anybody where the missile's going," Bush said in reference to North Korea top leader Kim Jong-il.

"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," Bush added.

For his part, Koizumi said that there will be "pressures" on North Korea if it decides to launch the missile.

"Should they ever launch the missile, that will cause various pressures. We would apply various pressures," Koizumi said, although he did not elaborate.

Japanese and South Korean media have claimed that North Korea might be prepared to test-fire a long-range missile.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2006)