Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok has found fault in North Korea's boycott of the six-way nuclear talks over U.S. financial sanctions, calling it a "serious misjudgement."

Speaking at a lecture in Seoul Wednesday, Lee said the North must consider various factors and rethink the decision to link the talks to the sanctions issue. Pyongyang has refused to resume the six-nation dialogue unless Washington lifts its sanctions over the North's alleged financial crimes.

The minister also urged the U.S. to give more consideration to the nuclear standoff and consolidate various opinions within its administration on the matter.

Lee, however, said that he does not believe Washington has altered its North Korea policy in a bid to topple the communist regime.