The Foreign Ministry spokesman issued a statement describing the move as a slander and a plot to “brand independent and sovereign states” as hostile and “make them the object of international censure”.

This unilateral and malicious political provocation by the U.S. should be denounced and rejected by the international society, the statement said, adding that the DPRK’s invariable position is to oppose terrorism that threatens international peace and security.

The U.S., the statement said, would do well to take a correct view of the current situation of the bilateral relations which today have a “hostile character due to its unilateral and erroneous behavior” instead of talking about “cooperation” on the issue of “anti-terrorism”.

The DPRK will never tolerate any attack from abroad aimed at defaming and violating the dignity, sovereign right and security interests of the state and will deal with the hostile and provocative act of the U.S. in all spheres with efficient and relevant countermeasures, the text concludes.

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