in 2014, after the united nations human rights council published a report on human rights in north korea advising a referral to the international criminal court, the official korean central news agency responded with an article that included homophobic insults against report author michael kirby, who is openly gay. the kcna's article went on to state that gay marriage "can never be found in the dprk boasting of the sound mentality and good morals, and homosexuality has become a target of public criticism even in western countries, too. in fact, it is ridiculous for such gay to sponsor dealing with others' human rights issue."