PYONGYANG -- The party and government officials of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) met here Thursday to review the country's 2017 economic performance, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Friday.

The participants of the conference praised the supreme leader Kim Jong-un for "accelerating the victorious advance of socialism with the great spirit of self-reliance and self-development as the dynamic force and brought about great national auspicious events, especially significant events, one after another," the KCNA said.

"All the successes made in this year's drive are a brilliant fruition of the respected Supreme Leader's distinguished and sagacious guidance," DPRK Premier Pak Pong Ju was quoted as saying at the conference.
The United Nations has imposed tough sanctions on the DPRK due to its nuclear and missile programs, but Pyongyang remains defiant in the face of international pressure.

Kim, who frequently visits factory workers, farmers and fishermen, has tasked his countrymen with promoting economic development together with the country's nuclear and missile programs.