North Korea criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a “rogue state,” saying his remarks are not helpful to U.S. interests. This direct criticism is a sign that North Korea is not interested in negotiations over its weapons programs, even as President Trump expresses interest in meeting with Kim Jong Un. North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Rubio’s comments confirm the U.S.’s hostile policy towards North Korea, and that his remarks are incorrect and will not benefit U.S. interests. Rubio’s comment was likely made during an interview where he described North Korea as a rogue state. Trump’s use of the term “nuclear power” to refer to North Korea was also unusual, as U.S. officials typically avoid recognizing North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. Despite Trump’s positive comments about Kim, North Korea has not responded and continues its weapons testing and confrontational rhetoric. Kim recently inspected a facility producing nuclear material and called for strengthening the country’s nuclear capabilities. There have been several weapons displays by North Korea this year, including short-range ballistic missiles, a new hypersonic missile, and strategic cruise missiles.
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