North Korea's foreign ministry said a speech by Japan's prime minister expressing deep remorse for his country's actions in World War II was "an unpardonable mockery of the Korean people," in a statement released by state news agency KCNA Friday.

The statement added that Shinzo Abe's words were not an "honest admission and apology" for the "monstrous crimes and unspeakable damage done," a day ahead of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.