North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended the inauguration of Kangdong County Hospital, the first modern hospital built under the regional development plan. He called the project, completed in nine months, a “real transformation” for the country’s healthcare system.
The hospital is part of North Korea’s ongoing Regional Development 20 X 10 Policy, aimed at building modern factories and medical centers in 20 regional areas each year over a ten-year period. Kim emphasized that the hospital’s completion in the same year as the groundbreaking shows the country’s speed in achieving its goals.
“This is a moment when we see the first entity of modern regional hospitals,” Kim said during the ceremony. He described the hospital as a model for public health development across regional areas. He added that six modern hospitals will open nationwide this year.
The project seeks to reduce the urban-rural development gap and provide better living standards in North Korea’s regional areas. The regime has been focusing on creating public amenities, including hospitals and factories, to support local populations.
Despite the announcement, it remains unclear whether North Korea can fully equip these hospitals with modern medical technology. International sanctions continue to restrict access to advanced equipment and resources. Observers say this may limit the effectiveness of the new hospitals despite their construction.
Analysts note that Kim’s emphasis on speed and transformation signals a broader effort to showcase development achievements. They also warn that completing buildings quickly does not guarantee sustainable healthcare improvements without adequate staffing and equipment.
Officials and local authorities will likely monitor hospital operations to evaluate their impact. Future projects may follow similar patterns, combining rapid construction with ambitious claims of modernization.
Kangdong County Hospital serves as a high-profile example of North Korea’s strategy to expand healthcare in regional areas. Authorities hope the initiative will strengthen local services and demonstrate progress under Kim’s leadership.
