North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho has personally lashed out at his U.S. counterpart.
In a statement Friday, Ri expressed anger about U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's remarks two days prior that Washington will maintain the strongest-ever sanctions to show the North that denuclearization is the right path.
Saying such a comment came when working-level negotiations are looking possible, the North's top diplomat accused Pompeo of hindering rather than helping the denuclearization talks.
He added the North is prepared for both dialogue and confrontation... and it will remain the U.S.' strongest threat if the sanctions remain in place.