N. K. snubs U.S. human rights report

The North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the United States Friday for its annual human rights report, which he said measures other countries by its own standard, interfering in their internal affairs and leveling an accusing finger at them. Prepared by the U.S. State Department, the report said the human rights situation in North Korea was as bad as ever. In an interview with North Korea`s state news outlet, the Korean Central News Agency, the spokesman said American attempts to impose its own human rights standard on other nations would only disrupt attempts to maintain friendly international relations. He called on Washington to abandon its ``negative and arrogant stance.``

Ha Tae-Won scooop@donga.com