"Unfortunately the Iraqi situation is driving the North Koreans to strengthen their defences," the Interfax news agency quoted Alexander Losyukov as saying.

Asked if he meant that North Korea would seek to acquire nuclear weapons, Losyukov replied that "this is absolutely clear, and the absence of a negotiating process significantly increases this danger."

Russia is trying to organise direct talks between North Korea and the United States over the crisis concerning North Korea's nuclear programme.

Washington has rejected such talks, saying that an agreement must be found jointly by all regional powers.

On Monday Losyukov called on South Korea to provide a "sobering influence" on the United States in the nuclear standoff with the Communist North.

Speaking after talks in Moscow with Ra Jong-Yil, the senior advisor for national security to South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun, Losyukov said that only direct negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington could resolve the crisis.

SPACE.WIRE