North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for construction of facilities related to health care, science and education in rural areas, the North Korean news agency KCTA reported today, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
Kim convened a high-level meeting on Saturday, amid attempts by the ruling Workers' Party of Korea to pass a "new major decision" to accelerate the development of rural areas. The initiative envisages the opening of modernized factories in at least 20 rural areas every year for the next ten years, KCTA announced.
Kim is pushing for the modernization of the agricultural industry and rural communities, as North Korea's economy relies heavily on agriculture and struggles to ensure food security amid international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs. Natural disasters also have an adverse impact on North Korean agriculture.
Kim said building facilities related to health, science and food security in cities and rural areas is key and urgent in accelerating and improving regional development.
Kim ordered the construction of modern facilities in the field of health care in order to overcome the challenges, KCTA also reported.