North Korean state media on Tuesday erupted with an inflammatory, anti-gay editorial targeting chairperson of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) into Human Rights in North Korea, Michael Kirby.

The Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) said it was “ridiculous” that Kirby, a “disgusting old lecher with a 40-odd-year-long career of homosexuality,” should be responsible for investigating human rights.

“It is ridiculous for such gay to sponsor dealing with others’ human rights issue,” the KCNA said, suggesting Kirby had fabricated a recent UN report on human rights abuses in North Korea.

The KCNA also attempted to further discredit Kirby by citing his