 SEOUL -- North Korea said Friday that the possession of nuclear weapons will help it better concentrate on economic growth.
The Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the North's ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), said in its latest editorial that the country's atomic weapons capability has secured a viable means to counter all military threats, creating the space needed to concentrate on economic growth. It said based on the creation of such favorable conditions, efforts can now be centered on improving the economy and the livelihoods of the people.
| In an Army-first way, of course... |
The newspaper, which is the main mouthpiece propaganda tool for the North Korean government, added that building up its economy is the surest way to win the ongoing struggle with the United States and bring about national unification.
| Which actually is true, but the South and the U.S. are safe with these clowns in charge... |
The paper's stance reflects the communist country's schizophrenic two-pronged strategy that was announced at the general meeting of the Central Committee of Workers' Party of Korea on Sunday, calling for the strengthening of both the country's nuclear capability and its economy.
The Rodong Sinmun said the initial target of transforming the country into an economic powerhouse
| ...which has been promised before, as I recall... |
will be done through concentrating on the agricultural and light industry sectors. It said by greatly increasing the production of consumer goods, the country can become globally competitive in these fields. In farming, the paper called on all forces to meet grain production targets set for this year.
| No matter how unrealistic the targets... |
It then called on WPK officials to show leadership and to fully support the government's endeavors to expand the economy. |