North Korea on Monday strongly criticized Marco Rubio for labeling the country a “rogue state,” dismissing his remarks as “nonsense.” The rebuke marked Pyongyang’s first public condemnation of the new Trump administration.
A foreign ministry spokesperson stated that North Korea would “never tolerate any provocation” from the U.S. and warned of “tough counteraction” if Washington took hostile steps, according to state-run KCNA.
Tensions Resurface Amid Trump’s Outreach
The backlash comes after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed willingness to “reach out” to Kim Jong Un, despite their failed 2019 summit in Hanoi.
In a recent radio interview, Rubio categorized North Korea and Iran as “rogue states” that require careful handling in foreign policy.
North Korea swiftly dismissed his statement, calling it a “grave political provocation” aimed at tarnishing the image of a sovereign state.
“Rubio’s comments are nothing new. It would be more surprising if he had actually said something positive about the DPRK,” the spokesperson added, using the official acronym for North Korea.
North Korea Stands Firm on Nuclear Program
Despite Trump’s diplomatic overtures, North Korea remains isolated under sanctions and has vowed to continue its nuclear weapons program “indefinitely.”
Although Trump and Kim held a rare series of meetings during Trump’s first term, their negotiations collapsed in 2019 over sanctions relief and Pyongyang’s nuclear commitments.
While Trump recently called Kim a “smart guy” and suggested reopening dialogue, Pyongyang remains defiant, signaling that it is not willing to compromise on its military ambitions.
