North Korean media has once again urged the United States to drop its hostile policy towards the North, saying Pyongyang cannot discuss nuclear disarmament otherwise.

In a Monday commentary, the Korea Central News Agency said the recent reference to the North as a criminal regime by U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow is a blatant expression of the hostile policy of the Bush administration.

The agency also said Washington is seeking to justify imposing financial sanctions on Pyongyang and blame the delay in the six-party nuclear talks on the North.