Rodong Sinmun Editorial "Must Continue Strengthening Invincible Military Power"
"They Dare Not Even Think of Using Force Against Us"
"The Basic Front for a Direct Breakthrough Is the Economy" Emphasizing Self-Reliant Strengthening
On the 2nd, Chosun Central TV aired a new documentary titled "We Will Forever Follow the Marching Path of Baekdu." The film highlighted Chairman Kim Jong Un's Baekdu lineage as he ascended Mount Baekdu, urging viewers to overcome difficulties with the fighting spirit inherited from previous generations.
On the 3rd, as North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un declared a 'direct breakthrough' against the current situation hindering regime security and economic development through the Party Plenary Meeting, the Workers' Party's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun reminded that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Party's founding and emphasized victory in the direct breakthrough battle across all fields including economy, military, politics, and diplomacy.
In a front-page editorial titled "Let Us Take a Great Step Forward in the Revolutionary March with a Direct Breakthrough Battle in the Year Marking the 75th Anniversary of the Party's Founding," the newspaper stated, "Based on our country's strategic position and status, we must conduct diplomatic and strategic battles with a great-power attitude," adding, "Any acts infringing upon the dignity and survival rights of our Republic must be met with immediate and strong counterattacks."
It continued, "We must possess and continuously strengthen invincible military power," emphasizing, "Our Party's core plan and unwavering will in national defense construction is to make any force dare not even think of using military force against us."
While stressing military self-reliance, most of the approximately 12,000-character article was devoted to the 'economy.' This aligns with the emphasis made by Kim Jong-un in the report on the results of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party.
The newspaper said, "The basic front in today's direct breakthrough battle is the economic front," urging residents to tighten their belts against international sanctions on North Korea.
It stated, "In recent years, unprecedented murderous pressure campaigns that others could not withstand even for a day have been imposed on our Republic," adding, "As the current situation shows, the death-throes of hostile forces may create trials and difficulties on the path of advance, but they can never obliterate our Republic's immense strength and development potential."
It further said, "History has proven that there can be no easing of tensions or normal economic development unless the sanction weapons, which hostile forces use as a last resort, are rendered useless and the enemies are completely subdued," warning, "If we harbor any lingering attachment and do not accelerate the struggle to strengthen self-reliance, the enemies' counteroffensive will intensify and attempt to block our advance."
The newspaper emphasized, "Amid unprecedented long-term and harsh conditions and struggles, although we cannot yet transform the economy brilliantly, we have found our own way to solve the problems of food, clothing, and daily necessities," adding, "We have learned how to live by our own strength, how to overcome enemies and difficulties, and how to protect our dignity and rights, and have grown stronger."
On the 2nd, Chosun Central TV aired a new documentary film titled "The March to Baekdu Will Last Forever." The film highlighted the political legitimacy by juxtaposing footage of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il climbing Mount Baekdu in the past with that of his son, State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, ascending the same mountain.
Professor Kim Dong-yeop of Gyeongnam National University said at a discussion held on the 2nd at the Taepyeong Hall of Seoul City Hall titled 'Analysis of North Korea's 2020 New Year's Address and Outlook on the Situation,' "North Korea's new path of 'direct breakthrough' means that amid long-term confrontation and sanction phases with the United States, it will actively and offensively pursue the economic all-out concentration line of self-reliance and self-strengthening based on political, diplomatic, and military self-defense capabilities without abandoning it."
Professor Hwang Ji-hwan of the Department of International Relations at the University of Seoul also said, "(North Korea) shows considerable crisis awareness in its relations with the U.S. and emphasizes self-reliance," adding, "The core direction of its external relations is to self-rely in order to directly break through the long-term confrontation with the United States."
North Korea issued postage stamps to mark the New Year of Juche 109 (2020), according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 1st. The agency stated, "The stamps demonstrate the firm determination of the Korean people to vigorously continue the Chollima speed creation movement by firmly grasping self-reliance and science and technology as their sword, thereby accelerating the construction of a socialist powerhouse in the new year." The stamps depict workers riding the Chollima while holding a flag inscribed with the words "Self-Reliance," along with an image symbolizing the Science and Technology Hall.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on the 2nd (local time) called a 'political agreement' for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula the best path, urging Kim Jong-un to refrain from provocations and emphasizing North Korea's return to the negotiation table.
In an interview with Fox News that day regarding North Korea, when asked about the response plan of U.S. President Donald Trump and his team, Esper said, "We believe the best path regarding North Korea is a political agreement to denuclearize the Peninsula."
He added, "We are on that path and want to remain on it," stating, "We will clearly urge Kim Jong-un and his leadership team to come back to the negotiating table for this purpose." However, he also said, "From a military perspective, we are still ready to fight tonight if necessary."
Esper emphasized that more importantly, it is to enable diplomats to conduct diplomacy to reach an agreement, saying, "Therefore, we will urge restraint by Kim Jong-un." He added, "At the same time, we are working closely with our partners in South Korea to ensure the readiness of our forces on the Peninsula."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
