N.K. calls for economic self-reliance in the face of U.N. sanctions

SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Monday called for strengthening its economic self-sufficiency as the United Nations Security Council is poised to slap tougher sanctions on the country for its nuclear and missile programs.

"Imperialists stick to the scheme to choke liberal countries' economies and coerce them into submission by pushing for sanctions and containment," said the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's main newspaper.

The U.N. Security Council looks set to adopt a fresh resolution for what's called "the strongest set of sanctions in more than two decades" on the North over its latest nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.

It would require U.N. member states to conduct mandatory inspections of all cargo going into and out of North Korea, and ban mineral resource exports, a main source of dollars for the cash-strapped North.

Ahead of the U.N. move, North Korea called for raising internal solidarity, stressing the need to make its moribund economy stand on its own.

"To strengthen our economy's self-sufficiency might be a daunting task, but it should be carried out for the future," the newspaper said.

North Korea showed that it won't back down against the United States, stressing the need to boost its defense capability.

"Imperialists rely on military power to crush liberal countries' sovereign rights," it said. "We need to strengthen our defense posture in the face of aggression and pressure."

sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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