Key facts
- North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the U.S. for maintaining a "hostile" policy.
- Pyongyang vowed to respond with the "toughest" countermeasures.
- North Korea stated its nuclear weapons will continue to grow as a guarantee of sovereignty.
- A spokesperson criticized Washington for pursuing "hostile" measures under the banner of denuclearization and human rights.
- The ministry stated it is pointless to expect any detente in the region.
- North Korea rejected calls for denuclearisation.
- A South Korean lawmaker cited intelligence suggesting potential dialogue resumption between North Korea and the U.S.
North Korea on Monday denounced the United States for maintaining what it called a "hostile" policy and vowed to respond with the "toughest" countermeasures. A spokesperson at North Korea's foreign ministry made the criticism, slamming Washington for pursuing "hostile" measures under the banner of denuclearization and human rights.
"It is pointless to expect any detente in the region, given the grave situation where the U.S. persistent hostile policy toward the DPRK is evolving in a more dangerous way," the official said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). DPRK is North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.