U.S. intelligence authorities have included North Korea’s nuclear program as one of the top challenges the U.S. will face in the next four years.

The 2009 National Intelligence Strategy report issued by 16 U.S. intelligence organizations cited that North Korea, Iran, China and Russia will challenge U.S. national interests in the coming years.

The report said North Korea continues to threaten peace and security in Northeast Asia because of its sustained pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, its transfer of these capabilities to third parties, its erratic behavior and its large conventional military capability.