North Korea has completed its second of three local hospitals promised for this year, located in Guseong City, North Pyongan Province. This follows the opening of the Kangdong County hospital in November, showcasing the regime’s accelerated efforts in healthcare as the year draws to a close.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on December 14 that the Kusong City hospital’s grand opening ceremony was held the previous day, with Kim Jong Un in attendance as the Party’s General Secretary.
The newspaper detailed Kim’s personal involvement, including cutting the ribbon and touring the new facility. He hailed the Kusong City hospital as a significant achievement, emphasizing its role in marking 2025 as the inaugural year of the health revolution.
Kim expressed his satisfaction, stating that another genuine hospital has been established, and commended the construction team for their impeccable work.
He referenced a recent party plenary meeting where plans were made to build modern hospitals in 20 cities and counties simultaneously next year, designating this initiative as the top priority for local development.
According to the report, Kim outlined national-level objectives to enhance medical professionals’ clinical and academic skills. He also called for the creation of standardized guidelines for managing advanced medical facilities and equipment. Specific details of these directives were not disclosed.
Previously, North Korea announced its health modernization plan, aiming to construct local hospitals in Kangdong County, Yonggang County, and Kusong City by year-end, setting the stage for a nationwide expansion of medical infrastructure starting next year.
The Kangdong County hospital, completed on November 19, marked the first milestone of this plan. The Kusong City hospital, now the second to open, received particular attention from Kim, who personally visited the construction site in both June and September to monitor progress.
Given Kim’s repeated emphasis on completing these local hospitals within the year, the Yonggang County facility is expected to open soon.
In a noteworthy development, Ri Il-hwan, the party’s propaganda secretary, attended the ceremony. Ri had been absent from North Korean media for nearly a year, sparking speculation about his possible purge, but his recent appearance at a plenary meeting confirmed his return to official duties.
During the ceremony, Ri praised the party’s leadership, stating that the party’s visionary guidance has already achieved world-class transformation in its first year, laying a new foundation for local healthcare. He repeatedly emphasized Kim’s dedication, referring to him as the great father throughout the process.
