North Korea says it will keep snubbing the six-way nuclear talks unless the United States lifts its financial sanctions.

North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Jung Sung-il reiterated Pyongyang's position after arriving in Malaysia for a regional security forum with a delegation led by North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice also arrived there, but headed directly to her hotel without making a comment.

Meanwhile, South Korea said it agreed with Japan to make joint efforts to resume the six-nation talks.