North Korea will begin constructing comprehensive service centers this year as part of its ambitious Regional Development 20X10 Policy. These centers will provide healthcare services for residents, act as hubs for scientific and technological advancements, and offer cultural venues such as movies and sports.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to complete these facilities in three regions—Kangdong County, Ryonggang County, and Kusong City—by the end of this year. Beginning next year, he aims to build 20 county hospitals annually.
According to Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party, the 2025 major construction campaign to implement the new regional development policies has officially begun. The paper highlighted Kim’s participation in the groundbreaking ceremony for the hospital and comprehensive service center in Kangdong County.
In his speech at the ceremony, Kim stated, “The hospitals being built in these regions will be categorized into four types based on the local population. This year, we will construct one hospital each in Kangdong County, Ryonggang County, and Kusong City as pilot projects, each with varying scales.”
Kim further emphasized, “Let’s successfully complete these three hospitals this year as model projects to gain valuable experience. Then, starting next year, we’ll simultaneously build 20 county hospitals each year, without fail.”
According to Kim, the comprehensive service centers will be integral to nurturing residents by continuously providing access to modern scientific advancements and cultural enrichment. These centers are designed to develop skilled individuals who can contribute to advancing local industry and cultivating versatile talent.
Kim announced plans to establish science and technology dissemination hubs within these service centers as part of this initiative. These hubs will include high-performance information technology systems and a variety of modern scientific resources. Kim stressed that these facilities would allow residents and youth to engage with cutting-edge science and culture, helping them develop the vision and skills necessary to lead their region’s economic and cultural growth.
In addition to healthcare and technological resources, the comprehensive service centers will feature facilities for residents to enjoy movies, sports, and cultural activities. They will also incorporate commercial spaces that maintain hygienic conditions and offer various convenience services. This suggests that the centers will be designed as multi-purpose complexes, blending community amenities with economic and cultural resources.
During his remarks at the ceremony, Kim highlighted the importance of improving local infrastructure to strengthen the nation. He emphasized that large-scale construction projects are essential for the country’s growth despite challenging economic conditions.
Kim pointed out, “The underdevelopment in local areas is more evident in the cultural sector than in material living standards. The most significant gaps between urban and rural regions are seen in healthcare, sanitation, and education in the sciences.” He added, “Despite the vast ongoing construction efforts and the challenge of allocating resources, the necessity of completing these projects on time and to a high standard is clear.”
In January of last year, Kim launched the Regional Development 20X10 Policy as a major economic initiative, initially aiming to build 20 regional industrial plants annually for the next decade. By September, he expanded the plan to include the construction of hospitals, grain storage facilities, and science and technology dissemination hubs, reaffirming his commitment to reducing the urban-rural divide.
