NKorea threatens end to missile accords

North Korea has threatened to end its freeze on long-range missile tests in protest at what it describes as the hardline stance of the new United States administration.

It's accusing Washington of trying to reverse recent improvements in relations between the two countries.

Pyongyang also complained about the slow progress in the construction of two power plants which were promised -- under an agreement reached in 1994 -- in return for North Korea freezing its nuclear programme.

The statement follows comments by senior Bush administration officials that they are reviewing policy towards North Korea. Last month, North Korea criticised remarks made by the new US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, in which he referred to the country's leader, Kim Jong-il, as a dictator.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service