Rodong Sinmun Tuesday says this in a bylined article.

It goes on:

What is most important for properly shaping and implementing the foreign policy is to firmly preserve independence in the international relations.

Preserving independence serves as a fundamental principle to be consistently adhered to in the international relations.

This is because, first of all, independence is what keeps each country and nation alive.

Independence is the first criteria of a sovereign and independent state. If a country acts under other's baton, bereft of independence, even if it is in power, such country can hardly be called a sovereign and independent one.

Another reason is that preserving independence in international relations makes it possible to contribute to accomplishing the cause of global independence, the common cause of mankind.

It is the historic cause of the progressives of the world to make the whole world independent. The independent world is a world free from domination, subjugation, interference and pressure and a world in which every country and nation fully exercises their sovereignty as the master of their own destiny.

Preserving the principle of independence in the international relations is an essential requirement for ensuring the dignity and prestige of a sovereign and independent state and a fundamental way for making the whole world independent.

Consistent and steadfast are the independent politics and independent foreign policy of the Workers' Party of Korea.

The DPRK will as ever consistently preserve the principle of independence in the international relations and strive to develop good neighborly and friendly relations with all the countries and establish a new fair international order.