North Korean authorities are pushing for a bumper rice harvest to mitigate the effects of sanctions and a reported drought, with the Rodong Sinmun on Friday describing the planned record crop as a “nuclear bomb” against the U.S. and its allies.

The editorial, entitled “Mobilize and concentrate all the power to finish the rice transplanting at the right time and in a proper way”, came a day after the ruling party organ announced the unveiling of a new rice plantation in Pyongwon County, South Pyongan Province.

Pyongyang claimed the U.S. and hostile forces – who are reportedly “freaked out” by