Pyongyang, March 19 (KCNA) -- Kim Son Gyong, vice-minister for International Organizations of the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, issued the following press statement on Sunday:

The UN secretary-general made irresponsible remarks through his spokesperson taking issue once again with the DPRK's exercise of its just right to self-defence on March 17.

I strongly denounce and categorically reject the behavior of the UN Secretary-General Guterres who is adding fuel to the flames, far from helping easing the tension in the Korean peninsula and the region.

I am once again convinced that the persistent prejudice of the UN secretary-general on the Korean peninsula issue is not simply attributable to the lack of understanding and recognition but might be an expression of his natural mentality of being subservient to the U.S. for no reason.

Instead of acting as befits the chief of the UN, Secretary-General Guterres have behaved like a snip of the U.S. Department of State.

I think it is good for defusing tension and for himself that the UN secretary general remains silent rather than meddling in the Korean peninsula issue as now.

If the UN secretary general continues to avail himself of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK despite the repeated advice of the DPRK, he will leave an indelible stain on his political reputation.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I strongly warn the U.S. and its followers against their sinister attempts to bring the legitimate self-defensive countermeasures of the DPRK for the discussion of the UNSC. -0-