N. Korea economy grows at fastest pace in 17 years: Seoul

Despite global sanctions over its weapons programmes, North Korea's economy grew at the fastest pace in 17 years thanks to a jump in exports and increased production in mining and other industries, the South's central bank said Friday.The Bank of Korea (BOK) said the North's gross domestic product grew 3.9 percent last year -- the fastest since 1999 when it expanded 6.1 percent.The hermit state does not officially release its economic data, and the Bank of Korea releases its annual estimates bas