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‘His first cherished desire’: North Korea’s Kim seeks rural revitalisation

The North Korean leader has mobilised troops nationwide to support the construction drive amid ongoing economic struggles

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits a construction site at an undisclosed location in North Korea at the weekend. Photo:   KCNA via Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for developing health, science and education facilities in rural areas alongside factories, state media KCNA reported on Monday, amid concerns over economic hardships and poor living conditions.

Kim convened a high-level meeting on Saturday as the ruling Workers’ Party seeks to adopt a “new important decision” to speed up rural development under his “Regional Development 20×10 Policy” aimed at opening modernised factories in at least 20 remote counties every year for the next 10 years, KCNA reported.

He has been pushing to modernise the farming industry and rural communities because North Korea’s economy relies heavily on agriculture but continues to struggle with food shortages amid sanctions over its nuclear and missile programmes as well as seasonal impacts from natural disasters.

Kim said the construction of health, science and grain management facilities in cities and counties is an essential, urgent task in accelerating and improving regional development, according to KCNA.

“Building light industry factories in local areas … alone is not enough to provide the regional people across the country with a sustained and improved material and cultural life,” KCNA quoted him as telling the meeting.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversees test of newly developed ‘suicide drones’

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversees test of newly developed ‘suicide drones’

Kim ordered prioritising the completion of modern health facilities “without fail” in the face of any challenges, KCNA said.

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