The chief of U.S. intelligence has warned of the dangers posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles.

National Intelligence Director James Clapper told a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing Wednesday that the North's nuclear weapons and missile programs pose a serious threat, both regionally and beyond.

In a written report presented at the hearing, Clapper also said that Pyongyang has signaled a willingness to re-engage in dialogue but it also craves international recognition as a nuclear weapons power. He says the communist state has also shown a troubling willingness to sell nuclear technologies.

In the report, he also said the North has shown technological improvements while conducting experiments related to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), such as during the test launches of its Daepodong missiles.