North Korea criticizes John Kerry for bilateral relations remarks

SEOUL, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- North Korea lambasted recent remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry regarding the possibility of improving relations with Pyongyang.

"The U.S. has never wanted improved relations with the DPRK but worked hard to overthrow it by force of arms, waiting for a chance through procrastination," the country's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, reported Wednesday.

While on a trip to Asia, Kerry commented on the state of U.S. relations with North Korea, asserting that the U.S. "is absolutely prepared to improve relations with North Korea if North Korea will honor its international obligations," a reference to denuclearization. In the absence of such commitments, Kerry warned, "make no mistake we are also prepared to increase pressure, including through strong sanctions and further isolation if North Korea chooses the path of confrontation."

North Korea's state media fired back, accusing Kerry of "clumsy and poor wordplay and mockery" and claiming the "harsh hostile moves pursued by the U.S. against the DPRK for the last several decades are unethical and state-sponsored terrorism unprecedented in history."