NORTH KOREA VOWS TO STRENGTHEN MILITARY POWER IN 2007.

SEOUL, Jan. 1 Asia Pulse - North Korea vowed Monday to continue to uphold its military-first policy that has helped it develop nuclear weapons and strive to rebuild its moribund economy.

In a joint newspaper editorial that summed up its policy goals for 2007, the hardline communist country also called for unflinching loyalty to leader Kim Jong-il, who will turn 65.

"Our access to a nuclear deterrent was an auspicious event in the national history, as it meant the realization of the Korean people's centuries-old desire to have national strength no one could dare challenge," said the editorial carried jointly by the North's party, military and youth newspapers.

The editorial has replaced the North's New Year message since the country's founding president, Kim Il-sung, died in 1994. His son and current leader, Kim Jong-il, took over in communism's first power succession.

"Our nuclear deterrent serves as a powerful force for defending peace and security in Northeast Asia and guaranteeing the victorious advance of the cause of independence," the editorial also said, referring to the country's first-ever nuclear bomb test on Oct. 9.

Without any mention of resumed six-party talks on its nuclear program and tense relations with the U.S., the editorial, titled: "Usher in a great heyday of Songun Korea full of confidence in victory!" also called for ...