DPRK's Kim focuses on building 'socialist economy'

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The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un called for "socialist economic construction" in the country now that it had completed the development of its nuclear arsenal.

Kim made the remarks at the Third Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Friday.

He called on all party members to "further accelerate the advance of our revolution by concentrating all our efforts on socialist economic construction."

That phrase – socialist economic construction – was a recurring theme of Kim's speech, reportedly appearing 56 times.

Attendees at the Third Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), guided by DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, in this photo released by the DPRK's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang, April 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

He told party members that the country will "create an international environment favorable for the socialist economic construction and facilitate close contact and active dialogue with neighboring countries and the international community in order to defend peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

In order to secure a stable international environment, Kim made the big announcement that DPRK will stop nuclear tests and test-launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles starting from April 21.

Read more: Kim Jong Un says DPRK to suspend nuclear and missile tests

He said the country no longer needs any nuclear tests or mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests.

Senior officials echoed Kim's calls to prioritize economic development.

The DPRK's official newspaper Rodong Sinmun cited officials as saying the meeting on Friday was "historic."

The country has set the goal of prioritizing socialist economic construction, aiming to increase the standard of living.