SEOUL, South Korea, Feb 3, (AP): In its first direct criticism of the Trump administration, North Korea lashed out at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for calling it a "rogue” state and warned Monday that such "coarse and nonsensical remarks” will never contribute to US interests. The statement is the latest in a series of North Korean signals that it will maintain its tough stance on the US for now, though Trump has said he’s intent on reaching out to its leader Kim Jong Un to revive diplomacy.

"The hostile words and deeds of the person who is in charge of the US foreign policy served as an occasion of confirming once again the US hostile policy toward the DPRK which remains unchanged,” the Foreign Ministry said, using the acronym of the country's official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. "Rubio’s coarse and nonsensical remarks only show directly the incorrect view of the new US administration on the DPRK and will never help promote the US interests as he wishes,” it said.

The statement took issue with what the ministry called Rubio’s branding of North Korea as a "rogue” state in a media interview. It likely referred to Rubio’s appearance on "The Megyn Kelly Show” on Jan 30, in which he called North Korea and Iran "rogue states” as he addressed foreign policy challenges. It was not the first time for US officials to describe North Korea as a rogue state. But the North’s latest statement suggests the country won’t likely quickly embrace Trump’s overture.

During a Fox News interview broadcast on Jan 23, Trump called Kim "a smart guy” and "not a religious zealot.” Asked whether he will reach out to Kim again, Trump replied, "I will, yeah.” Trump's comments raised prospects for a possible revival of diplomacy between the United States and North Korea, as Trump met Kim three times during his first term to discuss how to end Kim's nuclear program. Their earlier high-stakes diplomacy in 2018-19 broke down due to disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea, but Trump has still repeatedly boasted of his personal ties with Kim.