The major remaining differences over the proposals to ban nuclear weapons from the peninsula are over inspections of military bases.

The organization had several confrontations over property rights and building inspections.

South Koreans have a lot more to think about this spring than North Korea's defiance of the world over nuclear inspections.

The last time tensions rose over inspections, Russia persuaded Iraq to let United Nations inspectors return to work.

But even so, foreign experts expect another confrontation over inspections in the coming years, this one involving the navy's decades-old campaign to build a nuclear-powered submarine.

The plants were temporarily taken out of service last year after a scandal over falsified inspections and poor maintenance.

President Bush appeared finished with arguing over inspections, disarmament, or whether it is still possible to contain Iraq.

Conservatives in the party have long been critical of the 1994 "Agreed Framework," struck by the Clinton administration after a confrontation over nuclear inspections.

A8 Security Council criticized over inspections.

North Korea's defiance of the world over nuclear inspections should remind Americans that peace in Asia can't be taken for granted.