North Korea has threatened to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty if the United States expands financial sanctions on the North.

A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said recently that Pyongyang will do anything to protect its ideology, sovereignty and national dignity if American financial sanctions are expanded against the North.

The official also criticized the Bush administration for accusing the North of currency counterfeiting, saying Pyongyang will not return to the six-way nuclear talks unless the sanctions are lifted.