PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) issued a joint New Year editorial on Sunday, calling on its army and people to defend Kim Jong-un to death, the official news agency KCNA reported.

The editorial titled "Glorify This Year 2012 As A Year of Proud Victory, A Year When An Era of Prosperity Is Unfolding, True to The Instructions of The Great General Kim Jong-il" jointly published by three major newspapers said the whole party, the entire army and all the people should believe firmly that they will "become human bulwarks and human shields" in defending Kim Jong-un to death.

The entire army should place absolute trust in and follow Kim Jong-un and "become human rifles and bombs" to defend him to death, holding high the slogan "Let us defend with our very lives the Party Central Committee headed by the dear respected Comrade Kim Jong-un!" said the editorial.

Significant achievements were made in improving the people's standard of living last year, said the editorial.

The political and ideological might, the might of our unity should be increased to the maximum and "an all-out drive" to implement the Party's grand strategy for achieving prosperity should be vigorously launched, it said.

More great innovations should be made in the sectors of light industry and agriculture, the leading sectors for the building of a thriving country, said the editorial.

The editorial also asked to make innovations in sectors of basic industries such as electric power industry, coal-mining industry, build a powerful country with the knowledge-based economy and make the country as a highly civilized, socialist one.

The national defence capabilities should be consolidated in every way. The Korean People's Army should demonstrate its " heroic mettle and invincible combat efficiency" as the army of the leader and the Party, said the editorial.

"To achieve victory in general advance for this year it is necessary to strengthen the Party and enhance its leadership role to the maximum," the editorial stressed.

A decisive turn in accomplishing the cause of national reunification must be made and the stand of national independence and putting the nation above anything else should be thoroughly maintained. "National reconciliation and unity should be achieved and the war moves of the bellicose forces at home and abroad be checked and frustrated," said the editorial.

The DPRK will hold the principles of independence, friendship and peace, striving to develop relations of friendship with countries that respect our country's sovereignty, the editorial added.

This is the first joint New Year editorial after late leader Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011. The editorial jointly issued by three leading papers Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi on January 1 every year is the guideline to the work of the whole year. ?

The meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party of Korea held on December 30 proclaimed that Kim Jong-un assumed the supreme commander of the Korean People's Army "at the behest" of late leader Kim Jong-il on October 8, 2011.