By Yi Whan-woo


Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, has warned against relying on other countries for economic growth.

The warning came amid speculation that North Korea wants to scrap its nuclear program so the U.S. and its allies will ease sanctions and help rebuild the country.

The paper said North Koreans were strongly determined to build a prosperous socialist country envied by the world no matter how the political situation changed.

"All countries and nations should cultivate and bolster their own strength and resolve everything with recourse to it in order to achieve independent development and prosperity," the daily said in its English-language editorial last week.

"Dependence on others is a very dangerous virus that makes a nation mean and weak and lets a country go to ruin.

"Now that the imperialists are getting more desperate in their moves to dominate other countries and nations and the world, if one tries to get benefit from outsiders while depending on them, instead of depending on his strength, it is as foolish an act as ruining oneself."

It also said the countries that pursued independence and progress should not depend on others but carve out their destiny independently and creatively in order to preserve their political independence and achieve economic prosperity.

"Although one faces socio-economic difficulties and harsher pressure by the imperialist and hegemonic forces, one should think to advance, firmly believing in his strength," the paper said. Pyongyang and Washington are believed to have been negotiating denuclearization and economic assistance ahead of the June 12 summit in Singapore, before U.S. President Donald Trump called off the summit.

Sources familiar with Pyongyang speculate that the editorial was released in a bid to help North Korea gain bargaining power externally and maintaining internal unity.

In a separate article, also written in English, the Rodong Sinmun said the country is determined to attach importance to science and education and put spurs to the building of a science and technology power.

"Our revolution will courageously tide over any difficulties and more vigorously advance faster as there is the leadership of the party attaching most importance to science and education and taking positive measures for their development," it said.

A source speculated that Pyongyang is trying to focus on development and education of science and technology as part of its economic development drive.




North Korea walks tightrope between US and China 2018-05-27 16:12  |  North Korea