Seoul: A senior North Korean official Tuesday accused US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of having “foolish and dangerous ideas”, and warned Washington of an “unwanted outcome” if it does not adjust its stance on economic sanctions.
Pyongyang and Washington have been at loggerheads since the collapse of a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump in February with no deal reached on the North’s de-nuclearisation.
Since then tensions have mounted, and Tuesday’s comments marked the second time Pyongyang has criticised the top US diplomat this month. The reclusive state has previously demanded the removal of Pompeo from future talks, labelling him as “reckless”.
In an interview with CBS last week, Pompeo said the US could “change paths” if Kim did not bring “real conversations” on abandoning North Korea’s nuclear arsenal to the negotiation table.
Tuesday, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said Pompeo’s comments were “foolish and dangerous ideas that imply overthrowing our system with military means”.
“Our resolution on de-nuclearisation remains intact and we will do so when time is right,” she said, in comments cited by North Korea’s official KCNA news service.
Washington has blamed the collapse of the Hanoi summit in February on the North’s demands for sanctions relief in return for limited nuclear disarmament.