North Korea says it does not care about U.S. financial sanctions or pressure and will strengthen its national defense and military power to protect itself.

The North's official daily Rodong Shinmun said Tuesday that Washington is trying to obstruct Pyongyang's efforts to build a strong nation by demanding the North's abandonment of nuclear weapons and imposing sanctions, calling the actions a misjudgment.

In an editorial, the paper also said the North ultimately seeks a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through faithful implementation of the joint statement agreed in the fourth round of the six-party talks.