North Korea criticized the new U.S. Special Envoy for Human Rights in the country, Julie Turner, labeling her as a "wicked character who resorts to slander while interfering in the internal affairs of other nations." North Korean state media reported a spokesperson from the Human Rights Studies Association stating that "Turner gained her notoriety through slander related to human rights issues and making sharp remarks about our country." The media did not provide the name of the spokesperson.
The spokesperson's statement, conveyed by the Korean Central News Agency, asserted: "Her absurd statements are nothing more than the ramblings of someone who does not understand the concept of human rights, and Turner embodies the longstanding and bad American habit of celebrating interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states and slandering them."
The official agency noted that the appointment of "this wicked woman" confirms Washington's hostile policy towards Pyongyang, warning the U.S. of "retaliatory actions for the sake of justice." In another statement, the Korean Central News Agency accused France of escalating tensions by sending fighter jets to conduct aerial exercises with South Korea.
President Joe Biden nominated Julie Turner for the position in January, and the U.S. Congress approved her appointment last week.
