Seoul ready to provide medical equipment to hospital in N. Korea if asked: gov't

South Korea is prepared to provide medical equipment to a hospital in North Korea upon request, according to a unification ministry report. The government has secured U.N. approval and the necessary budget to carry out the project, which involves supplying 166 types of essential medical equipment for diagnosis, surgery, and treatment at Kangdong County Hospital in Pyongyang.

This marks the first hospital constructed under North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's efforts to develop factories and medical facilities across the country. Although specific items have not been disclosed, South Korea has already obtained a U.N. sanctions exemption and plans to use the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund to finance the project.

The approach is ready for immediate implementation should dialogue with North Korea resume, as the government aims to address funding and sanctions issues in advance. North Korea has been actively pursuing its Regional Development 20 X 10 Policy since 2024, which seeks to build modern facilities in 20 regional areas annually over a decade to improve living standards in rural regions. The Kangdong County Hospital construction was completed in November 2025.