North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (C) rides a white horse up a snow-covered Mount Paektu, the country's highest peak on the border with China, after inspecting construction sites at the foot of the mountain, in this footage aired by the North's Korean Central Television on Oct. 16, 2019. Kim is accompanied by senior party officials, including his sister, Kim Yo-jong (L), and Jo Yong-won. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

North Korea's official newspaper accused the United States on Monday of using sanctions in order to bring disobedient countries to their knees, stressing the country should stand up to such attempts without giving in to pressure.

North Korea has intensified its criticism of the U.S. since the breakdown of their Stockholm working-level denuclearization talks earlier this month. It has increased calls for strengthening "self-reliance" in the face of U.S.-led sanctions.

"Western powers, including the U.S., are pressuring disobedient countries with sanctions," the Rodong Sinmun said in a commentary. "A step of compromise would lead to ten steps, a hundred steps and eventually a collapse."

Citing the cases of Iraq and Libya, the paper said those countries went down a "self-destruction" path with their sovereignty violated as if from self-inflicted wounds.

The paper was apparently referring to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who allowed U.N. inspectors access to its weapons program from 2002-2003 but later was executed in the wake of a U.S. invasion.

Libya surrendered its weapons of mass destruction program in 2003, but its leader Muammar Gaddafi was removed from power and killed by NATO-backed rebel forces in 2011.

The paper said the objective of sanctions is to destabilize economies, push for regime change and eventually achieve subjugation, emphasizing that self-reliance and national dignity can be achieved only through a fight against imperialists.

In his recent horseback ride up Mt. Paekdu, considered one of the country's most sacred places, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lashed out at the U.S. for the "ceaseless sanctions and pressure by the hostile forces," calling for greater self-reliance efforts to frustrate them.

In an editorial Saturday, the Rodong Sinmun urged its people to maintain their stepped-up drive for self-reliance in the face of sanctions. (Yonhap)

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