The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday condemned the United States for imposing sanctions and blockades on the country, saying the moves could not "bring Pyongyang to its knees."
The sanctions and blockade are "illegal acts that defy international law and norms governing the relations among countries," said Rodong Sinmun, the DPRK's leading newspaper, in a commentary.
The commentary said the sanctions and blockade had long been in the making and have been systematically imposed in all fields with increasing intensity in the new century.
"The US' immediate aim is to force the DPRK to give up its nuclear program first at the six-party talks," the commentary added.
"These moves of the United States are based on their foolish calculation that the DPRK is not in a position to stand up against the US, and that its economic and diplomtic offensives will bring Pyongyang to its knees," the commentary said.
The United States should "take stock of the setbacks and frustrations it has met in its policy of sanctions and blockage against the DPRK," the commentary said, urging Washington to make a "policy switchover."