North Korea criticized the U.N. secretary-general for “dangerous rhetoric” when he called for complete and verifiable denuclearization of Pyongyang.
“I cannot help but deeply regret the unbiased, impartial remarks by the UN Secretary-General,” North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son-gyong said in a statement.
“The complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea is a violation of its sovereignty.”
North Korea’s deputy foreign minister’s comments came after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, expressed a “clear commitment” to North Korea’s denuclearization, calling it a “fundamental goal to bring peace, security and stability to the region.”
“We advise Secretary-General Guterres to be careful when making dangerous words and deeds that add fuel to the fire,” Kim said, accusing the U.N. chief of being “sympathetic” to U.S. hostile policy.
