North Korea on the 2nd condemned US Secretary of State Rubio for referring to North Korea as a 'rogue state' in a recent media interview.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 3rd that a spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Rubio's hostile remarks, which arbitrarily undermine the image of a sovereign state, completely violate the international law principles of respecting sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, and constitute a serious political provocation. North Korea expresses strong condemnation and opposition.
The spokesperson stated that Rubio's remarks confirm once again to North Korea that the US policy of hostility towards North Korea has not changed, exposing the erroneous attitude of the new US government towards North Korea.
The spokesperson pointed out that North Korea will never tolerate any provocative actions from the US and will respond strongly as always.
The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the US's new missile defense program.
The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the conception of a new missile defense system evokes the ghost of the dangerous 'Star Wars' program from the Cold War era, using the pretense of addressing adversary 'threats' to justify the risk of an arms race. This increasingly severe global security environment urgently requires North Korea to continuously develop self-defense capabilities based on nuclear deterrence.