"No matter what storm may roar, the Korean army and people will firmly defend our idea, system and cause," the North's ruling party, government and military newspapers said in a joint editorial.

The newspapers urged North Koreans to carry out instructions of leader Kim Jong-Il "to the last in a do or die spirit and with high results, not in words".

"If the US Imperialists and their allies dare to attack the DPRK (North Korea), they will be annihilated to the last one and any stronghold of the aggressors will not be safe."

The editorial, which represents Kim's New Year message, said the two Koreas should "desist from sycophancy and dependence on outside forces" to advance their reunification.

"The South Korean authorities are advised to ... refrain from treacherous acts that sacrifice the national interests to outsiders," it said.

It insisted the United States should abandon its attempts to isolate North Korea and withdraw troops from the South immediately.

The editorial described 2002 as "a year of a new leap forward towards the building of a powerful nation," saying a new struggle would be launched to meet "the undisguised challenges of the imperialists and firmly defend the socialist bulwark".

"Our socialist construction which experienced hardships of several years has now entered a new phase of radical change," it said.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/020101/1/28jxd.html