N Korea accuses US of 'moral leprosy'

Pyongyang says its military programme is justifiable

By the BBC's Kevin Kim in Seoul

North Korea has made its first official response to remarks by US President George Bush that Pyongyang is part of an "axis of evil" with Iraq and Iran.

[The US's recent problems are] entirely attributable to the unilateral and self-opinionated foreign policy, political immaturity and moral leprosy of the Bush administration

North Korean Foreign Ministry

In a statement quoted by North Korea's official news agency, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman criticised President Bush's remark and condemned the US of "moral leprosy".

The spokesman said that North Korea would be watching the US, which it said had pushed the situation to the brink of war.

The spokesman said that, under the circumstances, North Korea's drive to equip itself with powerful offensive and defensive means was just.

This is not the first time the United States and North Korea have exchanged such comments.

For many years, officials in Washington have called the communist country a rogue state and its leader, Kim Jong-il, a dictator.

Impact on Seoul

War on terror "not over"
	1. Iraq: Suspected of wanting to pursue programmes to develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and missile developments 2. Iran: Listed by US as state sponsor of terrorism. Washington says Tehran plans to develop weapons of mass destruction 3. North Korea: The US's main concern has been missiles and other weapons programmes and willingness to export sensitive technology See also: Detailed clickable map

As the rhetoric escalates, uneasiness in South Korea grows.

South Korea's budding ties with the North have fast deteriorated since President Bush came to power - something many critics believe is due to a hardening of US policy towards North Korea.

As President Kim Dae-Jung's administration enters its final year, the South Korean Government is more keen than ever to improve relations with the North.

President Kim's "sunshine policy" of patiently engaging the communist state has been a target of growing criticism at home and South Korea is eager to bring the North back to the negotiating table.