North Korea Condemns Rubio’s ‘Rogue State’ Remark

North Korea condemned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday for labeling it a “rogue state” in a recent media interview, stating that his remarks do not serve U.S. interests, according to state media KCNA.

North Korea’s foreign ministry said the country will respond strongly to hostile U.S. provocations, KCNA reported.

It is North Korea’s first criticism of the Trump administration since President Donald Trump reentered the White House on January 20, Yonhap news agency said.

North Korea Criticizes US’ Iron Dome

The ministry also condemned United States’ new missile defence shield plan, saying that it makes it necessary for North Korea to strengthen its own military power, KCNA reported.

Trump last week signed an order that “mandated a process to develop an ‘American Iron Dome’, a next-generation U.S. missile defence shield against ballistic, hypersonic, cruise missile and other forms of aerial attack.

“The idea of a new missile defence system, which recalls the spectre of the dangerous ‘Star Wars’ plan of… the Cold War, poses a risk of justifying an arms race under the pretext of coping with the ‘threat’ of adversaries, regardless of its feasibility,” North Korea’s foreign ministry said, according to KCNA.

“The increasingly harsh global security environment urgently calls for us to constantly develop self-defence capabilities based on nuclear deterrence.”

Rubio Warns Panama

Meanwhile, Rubio on Sunday warned Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will “take measures necessary” if Panama does not immediately take steps to end what President Donald Trump sees as China’s influence and control over the Panama Canal.

Mulino, after the talks with the top U.S. diplomat in Panama City, signaled he would review agreements involving China and Chinese businesses, and announced further cooperation with the U.S. on migration, but reiterated that his country’s sovereignty over the world’s second busiest waterway is not up for discussion.

Rubio delivered a message from Trump that China’s presence – through a Hong Kong-based company operating two ports near the canal’s entrances – was a threat to the waterway and a violation of the U.S.-Panama treaty, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

“Secretary Rubio made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty,” Bruce said.

Rubio did not spell out exactly what steps Panama must take or what U.S. retaliation would look like.

Upon returning to office, Trump threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, built by the United States in the early 20th century and handed over to Panama in 1999, claiming the canal is being operated by Beijing.

He has refused to rule out use of military force over Panama, drawing criticism from Washington’s Latin American friends and foes alike. On Sunday, Trump said that he did not think troops would be necessary, but that Panama had violated the agreement, and the United States would take back the canal.

(With inputs from Reuters)