North Korea, one of the world's most reclusive states, plans to branch out into medical tourism next year, offering foreign visitors — most likely from China — treatments including cataract surgery, dental implants and therapy for tumors.
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea reported on Friday the recent launch of the Treatment Tourism Exchange Corp., which is aimed at capitalizing on the "rising demand for tourism, including medical care, in line with an international trend."
The new state entity will operate health clinics near hot springs, whose mineral waters, the paper said, can help treat neuralgia, arthritis, and heart and skin ailments.