Healthcare Challenges during Kim Jong-un’s Regime in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in comparison with 2001-2010

Abstract

Gaining insight into the public health situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is critical to achieve global health targets and advance population health in DPRK. This article explored and compared the DPRK’s healthcare system and public health situation over 10-year periods before (2001-2010) and during Kim Jong-un’s regime (2011-2020) using available evidence. The results revealed that although some healthcare indicators had improved during Kim Jong-Un's regime, the DPRK still struggled with a shortage of medicines, healthcare facilities and control of communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis). More importantly, healthcare burdens caused by non-communicable diseases had significantly increased. The DPRK has faced unprecedented healthcare challenges on the top of existing ones due to the closure of national borders as a result of COVID-19. Therefore, an urgent call to the international communities is required to investigate the current healthcare situation in the DPRK through collaborations and develop customized healthcare aids appropriate to the worsening humanitarian situation.