(LEAD) Additional nuke test depends 'entirely' on Washington: N.K.'s top diplomat

(ATTN: ADDS quotes in last 2 paras)

VIENTIANE, July 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's top diplomat blamed the United States on Tuesday for dashing hopes of realizing denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, saying the occurrence of an additional nuclear test depends "entirely" upon Washington.

In a hastily-arranged press meeting after attending a regional security gathering held in the Laotian capital, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho also demanded U.S. troops pull out of South Korea altogether.

"It is the U.S.' hostile policy that is making the current situations worse," Ri said. "The problem is that its hostile policy is getting severe and the prime example can be found in the increased military pressure and nuclear threats."

"Another one can be found in its economic isolation policy aimed at restricting our economic development. Recently, this has come to the point where (the U.S) carried out the biggest hostile act by insulting our 'greatest dignity' by taking issue with the so-called human rights," he added.

The North refers to its leader Kim Jong-un as its greatest dignity.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)