North Korea has completed its second modern regional hospital as part of leader Kim Jong-un's drive to expand medical facilities nationwide. Kim attended the inauguration of the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province, touring the facility. This follows last month's opening of the Kangdong County Hospital near Pyongyang.
North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that leader Kim Jong-un attended the inauguration ceremony of the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province on Saturday. This facility marks the second modern regional hospital, following the Kangdong County Hospital on the outskirts of Pyongyang that opened last month, as part of Kim's push to expand medical infrastructure nationwide for better public health services.
Kim described the Kusong hospital as "another precious creation," saying it reflects the ruling Workers' Party's determination to strengthen regional areas and advance public health across the country. He designated 2025 as "the first year of the public health revolution."
At last week's plenary meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea, the party announced plans to construct modern hospitals simultaneously in 20 cities and counties starting next year, drawing on experience from this year's pilot projects. During the ceremony, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to building such hospitals nationwide to establish a solid foundation for North Korea's public health system.
He called the Kusong facility "a model for modernizing public health" and urged it to serve as an example for developing regional health services through effective operation. Kim also stressed the need to overhaul the state medical education system, enhance the quality of medical workers, and ensure proper management and operation of modern medical facilities and equipment.
This initiative highlights North Korea's focus on regional development and bolstering health infrastructure, signaling ambitions for large-scale expansion ahead.