"We received an exemption from U.N. Security Council sanctions in May. If the North responds positively, we plan to launch the project immediately," a ministry spokesperson said.
Seoul maintains the principle that humanitarian projects should proceed regardless of political or military circumstances, he added.
The assistance would be financed through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, although the ministry said it could not confirm the planned amount of support at this stage.
The government plans to provide 166 types of essential equipment for diagnosis, surgery and treatment to Kangdong County Hospital in Pyongyang under what it calls a "health care cooperation package," according to information submitted by the ministry to the National Assembly.
The health initiative is one of the Unification Ministry's four peace and exchange projects. The others involve tourism at North Korea's Wonsan-Kalma resort, a Seoul-Beijing high-speed railway proposal and cooperation linked to the Greater Tumen Initiative.
Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in November 2025 and began treating patients at the end of that year. It was the first modern regional hospital completed under North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's regional health care development drive.
AJP Takeaways
- South Korea is ready to send 166 types of medical equipment to North Korea once Pyongyang agrees to accept the aid, with a U.N. sanctions exemption already secured.
- The assistance would target Kangdong County Hospital in Pyongyang and be financed through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund.
- Seoul says humanitarian cooperation should continue regardless of political or military tensions, making the medical package part of a broader push to revive inter-Korean exchanges.
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