N.Korea says U.S. pressure forcing it to boost deterrent

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Tuesday that recent diplomatic pressure from the United States over its recent failed satellite launch and over a "nuclear test rumour" had forced it to consider "countermeasures" for "self-defence".

The country's foreign ministry said in a statement via the official KCNA news agency that it would "bolster its nuclear deterrent as long as the United States was continuing with its hostile policies".

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by David Chance)