North Korea's foreign ministry said Monday its nuclear provocations followed what it calls "hostile acts" by the United States, apparently urging US President-elect Donald Trump to make more dovish gestures.

According to the statement reported by Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency monitored in Seoul, North Korea's foreign ministry said the US aimed to "overthrow" its system after the death of its former leader Kim Jong-il.

"This fully reveals the true nature of the policy of 'strategic patience' pursued by the Obama administration, which is none other than an aggressive and heinous 'strategic suffocation' policy against the DPRK," the report said. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea carried out nuclear tests in 2006, 2009, 2013 and twice this year, despite stern warnings from the international community.

Experts said Pyongyang's latest statement is apparently aimed at Trump, urging Washington to take a different approach toward North Korean issues, compared to incumbent President Barack Obama.

(Yonhap)