Unification ministry plans to send over 1,400 medical items to Pyongyang hospital

The unification ministry plans to send 1,431 medical items to a hospital in Pyongyang as part of a humanitarian medical support program. The shipment would cover 166 categories, including X-ray machines, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, operating tables and automated external defibrillators. The estimated cost is US$6.75 million, and the plan still depends on discussions with North Korea. The ministry secured a U.N. sanctions exemption in May, while some lawmakers raised concerns and Unification Minister Chung Dong-young defended the aid.

The ministry’s list covers 1,431 medical items across 166 categories for diagnosis, surgery and treatment.

The shipment includes diagnostic equipment, surgical equipment and treatment equipment, such as X-ray machines, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors and operating tables.

The estimated cost of the plan is US$6.75 million.

The ministry secured a sanctions exemption in May from the U.N. Security Council’s North Korea sanctions committee.

Rep. Kim Dae-sik of the People Power Party received the document submitted by the ministry.

Published Sep 20, 2026 11:21 am KST

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province, Dec. 13, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the follwing day. Yonhap

The unification ministry has drawn up a list of more than 1,400 medical items, including automated external defibrillators, to send to North Korea as part of a humanitarian medical support program, a document showed Sunday.

The ministry plans to send 1,431 medical items covering 166 categories to a hospital in Pyongyang, necessary for diagnosis, surgery and treatment, according to the document submitted to Rep. Kim Dae-sik of the People Power Party by the ministry.

The items include diagnostic equipment, such as X-ray machines, stethoscopes and blood pressure monitors, along with operating tables and other surgical and treatment equipment.

The ministry said the selection was made in consultation with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare and medical experts, adding that the plan still hinges on discussions with the North Koran side and could change. Its estimated cost is US$6.75 million.

The ministry secured a sanctions exemption in May from the U.N. Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee to provide the equipment.

As inter-Korean exchanges and dialogue channels are virtually non-existent amid souring ties, Pyongyang's willingness to accept aid remains unclear.

Some in the National Assembly voiced concern over the plan, saying medical equipment could be diverted toward biochemical weapons production or repurposed to inspect flaws in weapons systems.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has pushed back on the concern during a recent parliamentary session, saying humanitarian medical aid should not be tied to North Korea's military policy and that the North's medical conditions are dire enough to warrant urgent support.

作为人道主义医疗援助计划的一部分，韩国统一部计划向平壤一家医院运送1431件医疗物资。这批物资涵盖166个类别，包括X光机、听诊器、血压计、手术台和自动体外除颤器等。预计总价值为675万美元，该计划仍需与朝鲜方面进行磋商。统一部于今年5月获得了联合国制裁豁免，但一些议员对此表示担忧，统一部长官郑东荣则为这项援助辩护。

该部委的清单涵盖了 166 个类别共 1431 项医疗用品，用于诊断、手术和治疗。

这批货物包括诊断设备、外科手术设备和治疗设备，例如 X 光机、听诊器、血压计和手术台。

该计划的预计成本为675万美元。

今年5月，该部获得了联合国安理会朝鲜制裁委员会的制裁豁免。

国民力量党议员金大植收到了该部提交的文件。

发布于2026年9月20日上午11:21（韩国标准时间）

朝鲜领导人金正恩于12月13日视察平安北道龟城市医院。这张照片由朝鲜官方通讯社朝中社于次日发布。（韩联社）

一份文件周日显示，统一部已拟定一份包含 1400 多种医疗用品的清单，其中包括自动体外除颤器，作为人道主义医疗援助计划的一部分，将物资送往朝鲜。

根据卫生部提交给国民力量党议员金大植的文件，卫生部计划向平壤一家医院运送1431件涵盖166个类别的医疗用品，这些用品是诊断、手术和治疗所必需的。

这些物品包括诊断设备，如 X 光机、听诊器和血压计，以及手术台和其他外科手术和治疗设备。

该部表示，此次遴选是在与韩国国际医疗财团和医疗专家协商后做出的，并补充说，该计划仍取决于与朝鲜方面的磋商，可能会有所变动。预计费用为675万美元。

今年5月，该部获得了联合国安理会朝鲜制裁委员会的制裁豁免，得以提供这批设备。

由于朝韩关系恶化，双方交流和对话渠道几乎不存在，平壤是否愿意接受援助仍不明朗。

国民议会的一些议员对该计划表示担忧，称医疗设备可能会被挪用于生化武器生产，或者被重新用于检查武器系统的缺陷。

统一部长官郑东荣在最近的一次国会会议上驳斥了这种担忧，称人道主义医疗援助不应与朝鲜的军事政策挂钩，并表示朝鲜的医疗状况十分严峻，需要紧急援助。