SEOUL, Feb 20 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the economy had overcome recession and the country accomplished major economic goals over the past five years as he announced that the Ninth Party Congress opened on Thursday, state media KCNA reported. The congress is the country's biggest political event held every five years that reviews performance, sets new policy goals and can bring leadership change.
In an opening speech, Kim said North Korea had made "significant accomplishments" over the past five years in politics, economy, defence, culture and diplomacy, enhancing its self-reliance.
For the outside world, North Korea has brought a "big change" in relations with other countries and the global geopolitical landscape, he said.
At the meeting, which a total of 5,000 members of the ruling Workers' Party attended, new goals and plans in various sectors for the next five years were submitted, KCNA said in the report on Friday.
(Reporting by Heejin KimEditing by Ed Davies)
