North Korea says it will continue its ongoing boycott of the six-party nuclear talks.

Pyongyang's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Han Song-ryol, said Thursday his country would not attend the nuclear discussions unless they see a substantial change in U.S. policy toward the North.

In a telephone interview with a vernacular daily, Hankyoreh Shinmun, Han said Pyongyang had monitored Washington's North Korea policies for the past four years and thus remained skeptical on the possibility of any impending U.S. policy shift.

Han's remarks are drawing attention as they comprise the North's first public reaction to the reelection of U.S. President George W. Bush.

Han also denied reports in Seoul that the North would return to the negotiating table in November or later in the year, saying his government had held no discussions with any party about resuming nuclear talks.