North Korea’s state-run media has called for national unity in the face of growing international sanctions on the regime.
 
In an editorial posted on the front page of its Friday edition, the official newspaper of the North’s ruling party, the Rodong Sinmun, blamed the U.S. for slapping unprecedented political and military pressure and sanctions on the regime, although it tried to downplay them as “death throes” of the “imperial U.S.”
 
The North Korean daily then urged every North Korean worker, including party members, to display the maximum force of unity under the North’s governing philosophy of Juche or self-reliance.
 
The newspaper argued that it is no secret that the U.S.’ sanctions and pressure are aimed at eroding the North Koreans’ loyalty to the party and their faith in socialism and driving a wedge between the party and the public.