Rodong Sinmun says this in a bylined article Wednesday.

It goes on:

Now that the people of the DPRK set as the general goal to build a thriving nation and improve the people's standard of living, peace is more precious for them than ever.

But the army and people of the DPRK have drawn a conclusion that they can never push forward the revolution and construction in a peaceful environment as long as the U.S. imperialists and the Lee Myung Bak group of traitors are allowed to go ahead with their anti-DPRK racket to infringe upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the nation.

They are not weak army and people who would give up their dignity and rights in fear of a war.

The people of the DPRK have never shown pardon or mercy to any acts of defaming their national dignity and sovereignty. They remain invariable in this conviction and will.

The historical lesson shows that the dignity of a nation and sovereignty of a country can be firmly defended only when it frustrates the moves for a war of aggression of the imperialists by bolstering defence capabilities and ensures genuine peace.

Bolstering military capabilities would guarantee the nation's dignity and the country's sovereignty.

Strong defence capabilities serve as an all-powerful treasured sword for protecting peace.

It is the law and truth of the history derived from the demands of the popular masses with independence as their intrinsic nature to defend the national dignity and the country's sovereignty and struggle for building an independent state and improving people's standard of living.

Victory is in store for the people who value the dignity of the nation and sovereignty of the country and struggle for them.