North Korea has threatened to snub the six-way nuclear talks if US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice does not retract her remarks calling the North an "outpost of tyranny."

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said it is unimaginable for his country join the talks under a disgraceful stigma, referring to Rice's criticism.

He said that if Washington wants the multilateral dialogue to resume, then it should behave in a realistic and wise manner.

He added that it is illogical for the United States to think that it can blurt out negative comments and then expect Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table.

The spokesman said such an attitude by the United States demonstrates an unwillingness to hold the six-way talks.

He also said Rice should realize that any kind of pressure tactics against the North is useless, stressing that Washington should now drop its attempt to pressure Pyongyang through help from another country.

In her Senate confirmation hearing in January, Rice called North Korea - along with Iran, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Myanmar and Belarus - "outposts of tyranny."