"I don't think it's a good idea, because facts have proved that six-party talks are a realistic and effective way to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue," foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan told a regular briefing.

"Recently both the United States and North Korea made some positive signals. We hope both sides can make further positive signals to create favorable conditions for resuming talks," he said.

Japan said Friday the UN Security Council or the five nations involved in the stalled dialogue with North Korea should meet to pressure Pyongyang if the communist state remained defiant on its nuclear program.

North Korea last week said it had unloaded 8,000 spent fuel rods in a step to building more nuclear weapons amid reports it was preparing to conduct a nuclear test.

North Korea has warned that taking it to the Security Council for possible sanctions would be considered an act of war. The UN step has been suggested by the United States but is opposed by Pyongyang's main ally China.

The two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States have held three inconclusive rounds of talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear program.

The last talks with North Korea were in June 2004, with Pyongyang boycotting another round in September citing US hostility.

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