The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) says its leader Kim Jong Un urged officials to overcome a "grim situation" facing the country and improve living conditions for its people. Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency reported Kim as saying his administration is determined to achieve economic goals set at a party congress in January. 

During that meeting, Kim acknowledged his previous economic plans had failed. He then issued a new five-year development plan. The DPRK leader reportedly reiterated commitments to fix the economy and solve food and housing problems.