San Francisco Chronicle

Biden called ‘fool of low IQ’

- By Kim Tong Hyung Kim Tong Hyung is an Associated Press writer.

SEOUL — North Korea has labeled Joe Biden a “fool of low IQ” and an “imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being” after the U.S. presidenti­al hopeful called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a tyrant during a recent speech.

Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday said the former American vice president had insulted the country’s supreme leadership and committed an “intolerabl­e and serious politicall­y motivated provocatio­n” against the North.

Biden during a campaign launch in Philadelph­ia on Saturday accused President Trump of cozying up to “dictators and tyrants” like Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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

The piece, labeled a commentary, said Biden had “gone reckless and senseless, seized by ambition for power.” It went on to mention apparent Biden gaffes, such as once appearing to fall asleep during a speech by President Barack Obama.

“It is by no means accidental that there is nonstop comment over his bid for candidacy that he is not worth pinning hope on, backed by the jeer that he is a fool of low IQ,” KCNA said.

It mocked Biden’s belief that he was “the most popular presidenti­al candidate.”

“This is enough to make a cat laugh,” the report said.

Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates responded: “Given Vice President Biden’s record of standing up for American values and interests, it’s no surprise that North Korea would prefer that Donald Trump remain in the White House.”

North Korea has often unleashed crude insults against U.S. and South Korean politician­s to criticize what it sees as slanderous remarks toward its leadership or hostile diplomatic and military policies.

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