North Korea criticizes Rubio for calling it a 'rogue state'

North Korea admonished Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday for calling it a “rogue state,” in its first direct criticism of the Trump administration.

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea admonished Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday for calling it a “rogue state” and said his “coarse and nonsensical remarks” would not help U.S. interests, in the reclusive state’s first direct criticism of the Trump administration. 

The comments from nuclear-armed North Korea are the latest indication that it is not open to negotiations over its U.N.-sanctioned weapons programs, even as President Donald Trump says he would like to resume in-person meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“The hostile words and deeds of the person who is in charge of the U.S. foreign policy served as an occasion of confirming once again the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK which remains unchanged,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement carried by state media, referring to the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“Rubio’s coarse and nonsensical remarks only show directly the incorrect view of the new U.S. administration on the DPRK and will never help promote the U.S. interests as he wishes,” the statement continued.

Rubio made the “rogue state” comment in a media interview, the North Korean statement said, without specifying which one. But it was most likely referring to Rubio’s interview on Thursday with SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly, during which he described North Korea and Iran as rogue states.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-criticizes-rubio-calling-rogue-state-rcna190391

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