He waved his tail like a shaggy dog sticking his chin out to its master

North Korean radio

The statement said Seoul had not responded to its demand for an apology for the minister's comments.

Mr Choi had suggested that by "carrying a big stick" the United States had helped push North Korea back into talks with the South.

As South Korea had failed to apologise, it was "impossible" for the planned economic talks to go ahead, the North Korean statement said.

It added that Seoul should "own due responsibility".

'Shabby and ugly act'

A report broadcast on North Korea's state-run radio on Monday said Mr Choi had "insulted and betrayed" Koreans with his comments.

"He waved his tail like a shaggy dog sticking his chin out to its master when he visited the United States. He engaged in such a shabby and ugly act as selling the interest of the country and nation and insulting his fellow countrymen," the report said.

Mr Choi distanced himself from his comments on Monday and urged the North to reconsider its decision to abandon talks.

"I already explained what I had really intended to comment through media. I really hope the North will come to talks with the South and with the United States," he told Yonhap news agency.

The South's unification ministry also issued a statement expressing regret over the decision and urging Pyongyang to resume talks soon.

The Koreas, which have been divided since 1945, share the world's most heavily armed border.

The secretive Communist state in the north has suffered from a collapsing economy and famine in recent years and recently made historic overtures to both the United States and Japan.