Rodong Sinmun stresses this in a signed article Wednesday.

Patriotism is love of one's country and nation and firm willingness to readily devote one's all to them, the article says, and goes on:

It is the proud tradition and characteristics of the Koreans to love the country and the nation passionately and value their dignity more than anything else.

"By our nation itself", clarified in the June 15 joint declaration, is the most steadfast patriotic idea.

The Korean nation remains divided into the north and the south, but any member of it sympathizes with the idea of "By our nation itself".

The slogan of "By our nation itself" can be heard everywhere in the north and the south of Korea and abroad, and any action against it is rejected as treachery swimming against the times and the mindset of the people.

The cause for the great unity of the Korean nation can never advance without the ardent patriotic spirit of its members.

Any Korean who values the destiny of the country and the nation should give full play to patriotism in conformity with the requirements of the times.

The patriotic spirit is, indeed, a powerful ideological and moral weapon as it helps all compatriots at home and abroad achieve the great national unity, irrespective of the differences in ideology and ism, political view and religious belief and class and strata, and consolidate it.

No force on earth can match the strength of the Korean nation advancing toward the great national unity and the reunification of the country under the banner of "By our nation itself" with high pride and honor of being the nation guided by Kim Jong Il, who is clearly indicating the way for the independent reunification and prosperity of the nation with his wise leadership based on love of the country, the nation and the people.