SEOUL, South Korea — In a significant shift of rhetoric, North Korea has directly criticized U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for branding the nation as a “rogue” state, warning that such “coarse and nonsensical remarks” will not benefit U.S. interests. This latest statement reflects North Korea’s unwavering stance against the U.S., despite President Trump’s intentions to engage diplomatically with leader Kim Jong Un.
The North Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement, asserting that the hostile comments from U.S. officials reaffirm the unchanging hostile policy of the United States toward the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The ministry criticized Rubio’s remarks, emphasizing that they reveal a misguided perspective of the new U.S. administration regarding North Korea, and are counterproductive to U.S. interests.
Rubio’s statement about North Korea being a “rogue” state, made during a media interview, did not sit well with the North, indicating that the country is not open to rapidly warming relations with the new administration.
President Trump has previously acknowledged Kim Jong Un in interviews, calling him “a smart guy” and expressing willingness to reconnect. His comments have sparked speculation about a possible revival of diplomatic engagements, following earlier talks that aimed to address Kim’s nuclear program. However, these discussions broke down over issues related to sanctions.
Despite Trump’s outreach, North Korea has maintained its aggressive rhetoric and continued weapons testing. Recently, Kim Jong Un inspected a facility for producing nuclear materials, emphasizing the need to enhance the country’s nuclear capabilities in response to perceived threats from the U.S. and South Korea.
Experts suggest that Kim’s current military posture, bolstered by an expanded nuclear arsenal and closer military ties with Russia, may afford him a strategic advantage in future negotiations. Following his previous meetings with Trump, which brought unprecedented recognition to his regime, Kim has focused on advancing missile technology aimed at U.S. and South Korean targets.
In previous comments, Kim has reiterated his stance, framing the U.S. as inherently hostile and asserting that his nuclear development is essential for national defense. Last November, he declared that past negotiations had only confirmed Washington’s “unchangeable” hostility, committing to implement stricter anti-U.S. policies.
