SEOUL, June 15: North Korea adopted a hard line on Tuesday ahead of six-nation talks next week, rejecting a US demand for the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling of its nuclear weapons drive.

The North Korean foreign ministry said the third round of talks in a process that has lasted more than a year and so far failed to narrow differences was doomed unless Washington demonstrated a change of heart.

"Nothing will be expected from the forthcoming talks if the US persistently insists that the DPRK (North Korea) accept CVID (complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantling), a demand which can be forced on a defeated country only," said a statement carried by official Korean Central News Agency.

The statement came shortly after China confirmed the next round of talks would begin in Beijing from June 23 and would be preceded by two rounds of working-level negotiations.

North Korea demands an end to Washington's "hostile" policy - a reference to a security guarantee from the US - as well as economic aid in return for a partial freeze of its nuclear facilities. Washington wants North Korea to dismantle its nuclear drive, including an alleged uranium-based programme, before offering concessions. -AFP