April 27, 2024
News

Kim Jong Un secretly visited medical factories last year, state media reveals

Rare inspections tied to economy come amid focus on military, as leader also approves new mural to push personality cult

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made rare in-person inspections of two medical equipment factories last November, state media said Monday, belatedly revealing details of the economic-focused visits as he increasingly prioritizes military and ideological matters.

The Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim visited the Myohyangsan Medical Appliances Factory and the nearby Huichon Hospital Bed Factory on consecutive but unspecified dates in Nov. 2022 to check out production lines and “wake [workers] up to medical equipment shortages” facing the country.

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