Pyongyang, February 3 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK released the following press statement titled "The most depraved country in the world is not entitled to take issue with other countries" on Feb. 2:

Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, in an interview with media, talked nonsense by terming the DPRK a "rogue state" while enumerating the foreign policy of the new U.S. administration.

The Foreign Ministry of the DPRK deems the U.S. State Secretary's hostile remarks to thoughtlessly tarnish the image of a sovereign state as a grave political provocation totally contrary to the principle of international law which regards respect for sovereignty and non-interference in other's internal affairs as its core and strongly denounces and rejects it.

In view of Rubio's political inclination and the U.S. inveterate repugnancy towards the DPRK, his speech is nothing new, and it would be more surprising if he had said good word about the DPRK.

But it is necessary to mention how absurd and illogical it is that the most depraved state in the world brands another country a rogue state.

The hostile words and deeds of the person who is in charge of the U.S. foreign policy served as an occasion of confirming once again the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK which remains unchanged.

Rubio's coarse and nonsensical remarks only show directly the incorrect view of the new U.S. administration on the DPRK and will never help promote the U.S. interests as he wishes.

We will never tolerate any provocation of the U.S., which has been always hostile to the DPRK and will be hostile to it in the future, too, but will take tough counteraction corresponding to it as usual. -0-