The rallies were attended by officials of local party and power bodies, social organizations, organs at different levels, industrial establishments and farms, working people and youth and students.

Reporters and speakers there said that due to the unprecedented campaign of the south Korean warmongers and the U.S. imperialist aggressors to escalate the confrontation with the DPRK, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has become extremely tense, adding that the hideous farce orchestrated by the enemies is little short of an open declaration of a war against the DPRK.

They expressed full support for the statement issued by a spokesman for the DPRK National Defence Commission, the statement issued by a spokesman for the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, a crucial notice released by the General Staff of the Korean People's Army and a statement issued by a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which they solemnly declared the DPRK's principled stand to protect the security of the country and nation in view of the prevailing grave situation.

They stressed that all the people of the DPRK are now fully ready to react to the enemies' "punishment" with merciless retaliatory blows and mete out a stern punishment to the heinous war maniacs.

They expressed their firm resolutions to devotedly defend General Secretary Kim Jong Il, the destiny and future of the country, and protect dignified Korean-style socialism, united close around the headquarters of the revolution.

The Korean people will bring about fresh miracles and innovations in every work-site for building a thriving nation in the transparent spirit of defending the country and thus once again demonstrate their indomitable stamina displayed in the crucible of the Songun revolution, they declared.