North Korea has strongly denounced U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for labeling it a “rogue state,” warning that such rhetoric constitutes a provocation that will be met with firm countermeasures. This marks Pyongyang’s first public condemnation of President Donald Trump’s administration since his return to office on January 20.
In a statement published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a spokesperson for North Korea’s foreign ministry declared, “We will never tolerate any U.S. provocations... and as always, we will respond with strong countermeasures.” The spokesperson dismissed Rubio’s remarks as “senseless” and accused him of attempting to undermine the dignity of a sovereign nation.
Rubio, in a recent interview, referred to North Korea and Iran as “rogue states” that the U.S. must confront in its foreign policy strategy. He stressed the need for Washington to reassess its approach to North Korea in order to prevent unintended conflicts on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea’s nuclear weapons program has been a long-standing point of contention between Pyongyang and Washington. During Trump’s first term, he engaged in historic direct diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, holding multiple summits. However, the 2019 Hanoi summit collapsed without an agreement due to disagreements over the lifting of sanctions and North Korea’s denuclearization commitments.
Despite previous diplomatic efforts, North Korea recently declared that its nuclear program would continue “indefinitely” as a measure to bolster its defense against perceived U.S. hostility.
Political analysts warn that escalating rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang could further heighten tensions. Many experts advocate for renewed diplomatic engagement to address the challenges posed by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and to ensure regional stability.