A senior North Korean diplomat criticized U.S. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump for suggesting South Korea and Japan arm themselves with nuclear weapons, calling the idea "totally absurd and illogical."

Ri Jong-ryul, a former ambassador to Indonesia who currently serves as deputy-director general of the Institute of International Studies in Pyongyang, made the remark in an interview with CNN, arguing that Trump's suggestion reflects the U.S.' "hostile policy" toward the North.

"Donald Trump's remarks are totally absurd and illogical," Ri said, according to CNN on Sunday. "The U.S. tells us to give up our nuclear program, is preparing a nuclear attack against us, and on the other hand would tell its allies to have nuclear weapons. Isn't this (a) double standard?"

It is the first time a North Korean official has commented on Trump's remarks.

Ri also said that Trump's remarks provides a "deeper look at America's hostile policy against my country."

"Simply put, America's hostile acts against us are making the situation on the Korean Peninsula worse," he said, warning that a policy like Trump's would only escalate Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

Trump has been under fire for the nuclear armament idea that he first made in an interview with The New York Times late last month, arguing that the U.S. is no longer rich enough to defend other countries and arming allies with nuclear weapons would reduce American security burdens.

U.S. President Barack Obama has also openly criticized Trump, saying the statements "tell us that the person who made the statements doesn't know much about foreign policy or nuclear policy or the Korean Peninsula or the world generally."

Ri said the North is not interested in the U.S. presidential election.

"We don't care who becomes the next U.S. president," he said. "Whether Republicans or Democrats take power, it has nothing to do with us. American politicians have always had a hostile policy against (North) Korea." (Yonhap)