N. Korea's Kim Yo-jong calls South's presidential office staff 'idiots,' warns of new countermeasures

Kim Yo-jong, director of the Korean Workers' Party General Affairs Department, unleashed a torrent of insults Thursday, calling officials at the presidential office and the government "idiots cut from the same mold, one and all."

KCNA reported that Kim had issued a fresh warning in the early hours of Thursday in response to what it described as "presumptuous remarks" made Wednesday by a person identified as the special presidential adviser for defense policy at South Korea's Cheong Wa Dae.

"I have already dealt with the Moon Jae-in and Yoon Suk Yeol administrations, but this is the first time I have seen anything as foolish and pathetic as those who have climbed aboard the cart of the current government," Kim said. "The vulnerability and immaturity of the Lee Jae-myung government can be read from this. The person calling himself the special presidential adviser for defense policy should shut his mouth immediately instead of talking nonsense."

Kim warned that North Korea would escalate its posture along the entire border. "If we are to use the expression 'the pot calling the kettle black,' it would apply to those who have never fired a single shot crying that others are provoking them by shooting," she said. "Our new countermeasures on all border lines will be placed on standby, and loudspeakers targeting South Korea will also be placed on standby within a few days."

She added, "If they continue to nitpick and persist with their pretexts and distortions, the current ruling authorities will face the most devastating and embarrassing situation."