North Korea has accused the United States of plotting a war to occupy the communist nation and vowed "merciless" retaliation against any attack on its territory.

Pyongyang's ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmum expressed North Korea's continuing anger over remarks by President Bush listing North Korea as part of what he called an "axis of evil" - along with Iraq and Iran. Mr. Bush said the three countries are leading sponsors of terrorism and are seeking weapons of mass destruction.

The North Korean newspaper said Mr. Bush's remarks, made during his State of the Union Address last week, were just short of a declaration of war against North Korea.

The daily warned that North Korean forces have unlimited striking power and said no aggressor would be able to go back home alive.

The White House has said President Bush did not intend to signal imminent military action against North Korea, Iraq or Iran when he said they form "an axis of evil."

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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