North Korea repeats 'South started the war' claim on 76th anniversary of Korean War

North Korea intensified its propaganda campaign against the United States and South Korea on the 76th anniversary of the Korean War outbreak Thursday, urging citizens to arm themselves ideologically and repeating its long-standing claim that the war was a US-orchestrated invasion from the South.

The Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers' Party's official newspaper, ran a front-page editorial Thursday under the headline "Let all people become defenders of the revolution and vanguard fighters of the class, firmly armed with anti-imperialist class consciousness."

The paper said "the anti-imperialist class struggle spanning generations is growing sharper across all domains — political, military, economic and cultural" and declared that "class consciousness is the core of the spirit to defend socialism."

It went on to say that "only a people burning with hatred toward US imperialism and class enemies and with the will to annihilate them can emerge victorious," and said "no matter how the situation changes, one must not harbor even the slightest illusion about peace with the enemy." The paper particularly said that "even without the sound of gunfire, every domain is an invisible battleground," calling for a constant ideological struggle in all aspects of daily life.

The paper also reiterated the regime's commitment to military buildup, saying "to prevent a repeat of the June 25 war of 76 years ago, we must possess the strength to overwhelm the aggressive adversary" and that the country must "continuously enhance its war deterrence and warfighting capabilities."

A separate commentary on page six, headlined "US imperialism is the provocateur of the Korean War," repeated the regime's standing claim that the war was a US-led invasion from the South.

The paper claimed that "in the early dawn of June 25, 1950, the South Korean puppet army launched an armed invasion against our republic" — asserting that the South struck first.

It went on to say that "due to the war provocation by US imperialism, our people and army had no choice but to wage a stern 1,129-day war to defend the fatherland, repelling the imperialist armed aggression and protecting their destiny and future."

The paper flatly denied the legitimacy of UN forces joining the war under a UN Security Council resolution, calling it "entirely in accordance with the script of US imperialism and completely illegal."

"Revenge rallies" designed to stoke hostility toward the US and South Korea were held across North Korea on Thursday, continuing from the previous day.

Members and officials of the Korean Democratic Women's Union held such a rally Wednesday at the Central Class Education Hall in Pyongyang, where they "sternly condemned the eternal crimes of US imperialism in the name of all mothers and women across the country," KCNA reported Thursday.

North Korea designates the Korean War as the "Fatherland Liberation War" and has long used its anniversary as an occasion to stoke anti-American sentiment. This year appears no different, with the regime mobilizing editorials, commentaries and mass rallies to heighten class consciousness and hostility toward outside powers — a move aimed at reinforcing internal cohesion and bolstering the legitimacy of the system.