North Korea, Labor Party highlight economic performance this year ahead of plenary session

North Korea has highlighted its economic achievements this year ahead of the end of the year's Labor Party plenary session.

In a front-page article, the Rodong Sinmun argued that the socialist powerhouse is none other than a powerhouse of self-reliance, and that projects in all sectors of the people's economy have progressed briskly this year.

Major North Korean media, other than the Rodong Sinmun, are also scrambling to publish articles this month that praise the independent economic performance.

North Korea is emphasizing self-sufficient economic activities as its industrial base has weakened due to long-standing economic difficulties and sanctions against North Korea.

Kim Jong-un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission, has repeatedly expressed his willingness to raise the economy on his own this year without external help, praising himself for making remarkable achievements in the overall people's economy at a plenary session of the Workers' Party at the end of last year.