Destro voiced concern about human rights circumstances in North Korea, mentioning the need to intervene to get "a human rights violator like North Korea" to "change their behavior," according to the VOA interview.

The North's foreign affairs spokesperson warned against any intervention saying, "If the US dares to impair our system by taking issue over 'human rights issue,' it will be made to pay dearly for such an act."

The commentary, the North's first reaction following the recent UN resolution, was seen as much more toned down compared to a Nov.17 statement denouncing the UN resolution and also targeting Destro's comments rather than directly criticizing the resolution.

The Saturday remarks, meanwhile, came as Pyongyang in recent weeks has ratcheted up its rhetoric ahead of its self-imposed year-end deadline on nuclear negotiations with Washington.

North Korea has warned the US of an unwanted "Christmas gift" unless the latter takes steps to salvage the talks that have shown little progress since a February summit between their two leaders.

The North has also not yet responded to US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun's public offer for a meeting. (Yonhap)