North Korean state media slammed former U.S. vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden for criticizing leader Kim Jong Un, calling him “bereft of elementary quality as a human being.”

The criticism contrasts with North Korea’s repeated references to the good relationship between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim said in April his personal relationship with Trump was still good despite the collapse of their second summit in Vietnam in February.

According to Newsweek, Biden said at a campaign launch in Philadelphia on Saturday: “Are we a nation that embraces dictators and tyrants like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and Kim Jong Un?”

State media the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) responded to criticism of the North’s leadership in a commentary late on Tuesday.

“What he uttered is just sophism of an imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being, let alone a politician,” it said.

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KCNA listed previous controversies concerning Biden, including allegations of plagiarism and falling asleep during a speech by former President Barack Obama in 2011.

“We will never pardon anyone who dare provoke the supreme leadership of the DPRK but will certainly make them pay for it,” KCNA said, using North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Denuclearisation talks have stalled since the breakdown of the second meeting between Trump and Kim in February and North Korea conducted more weapons tests this month.

The tests were seen as a protest by Kim after Trump rejected his calls for sanctions relief at the Hanoi summit.

Is Kim Jong Un correct? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to our news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 100% (21 Votes) 0% (0 Votes)

And the #DPRK dips into #Election2020, terming @JoeBiden "bereft of elementary quality as a human being" for criticizing Kim Jong Un. pic.twitter.com/YDV15hijLe — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) May 22, 2019

North Korea unloads on Joe Biden for criticizing Kim Jong Un, calling him an "imbecile," "a fool of low IQ," and his candidacy "enough to make a cat laugh." pic.twitter.com/tXPTTlzWMH — BNO News (@BNONews) May 22, 2019

Kim Jong Un gets it right…nails Biden!!! Fool with low IQ🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/A6hu65VPwd — ❌Hobbit❌⭐️⭐️⭐️🇺🇸 (@Hobbit_2020) May 21, 2019

https://twitter.com/GalloVOA/status/1130994775660777473

North Korea slams Joe Biden for criticizing leader Kim Jong Un https://t.co/TOq1cTHE9H pic.twitter.com/vKB9zG6uQJ — 海の向こうはいかに。 (@danbe_kun) May 22, 2019

https://twitter.com/patharan25/status/1130980292066512897

https://twitter.com/J57422598/status/1130968344138604545

https://twitter.com/TOPNEWSBREAKING/status/1131004890145099777

Reuters contributed to this story.