Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says this in a bylined article.

It is truth proved through the world history of revolutionary movement that independence is guaranteed by arms, the article notes, and goes on:

Arms are the most powerful means in the standoff between the revolutionary forces and the counterrevolutionary ones in the world.

Reliance on strong arms only can help foil the moves of the counterrevolutionary forces and guarantee the popular masses their independence and bring their independent desire into a reality to the last. Independence can not be defended by words. The victorious advance of the revolutionary cause and the gains of the revolution can be preserved only by arms.

The practical experience of the Korean revolution also proved that independence must be defended by arms.

The DPRK could stand firm against the reckless military offensives of the imperialists and international reactionaries because it took firm hold on arms.

In recent years they desperately resorted to the hostile moves against the DPRK but all their offensives against the DPRK suffered setback.

The imperialists are committing tyrannical acts by mobilizing all means and methods including a military method. The only way of foiling those moves is to bolster one's own arms. Strong arms only can help defend independence.