Kim Jong Un condemns Syria strikes, intensifies anti-U.S. propaganda

April 18 (UPI) -- North Korea's Kim Jong Un condemned the recent U.S. missile strikes against Syria, according to state media.

The announcement comes at a time when North Korea is stepping up anti-U.S. propaganda movements, sources in the country say, while Pyongyang vowed to continue missile tests on a "weekly basis."

Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported Monday that Kim sent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a congratulatory message on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of Syrian independence.

"Your independence stands opposed to invasion and subjugation by imperialists, your pioneering independence is a historic event," Kim said in his letter, according to the Rodong. "Under your leadership, you are securing the independence of your country."

Kim also said he condemns the "violent act of U.S. invasion" and that he shows "solid support and solidarity" for the Syrian regime.

North Korea has not stopped condemning the United States and in some parts of the country authorities are requiring people to visit the Sinchon Museum of American War Atrocities, according to South Korean news service Daily NK.

The museum has exhibits and propaganda that Pyongyang claims is evidence of U.S. military culpability for the death of 35,000 Korean civilians during the 1950-53 Korean War.

North Korea claims U.S. soldiers killed civilians, including women and children who were doused with gasoline, then set on fire.

A source in South Hwanghae Province said the museum order was part of a movement toward strengthening anti-American education.

The order targets farmers, but the "farmers who were ordered to go did not welcome the mandate" because they were in the middle of planting crops, the source said.

The source also said North Koreans who now frequently come into contact with outside information and media no longer believe in state propaganda.