Ponghwa Clinic


The Ponghwa Clinic and Hospital is a hospital located in Sinwŏn-dong, Potonggang-guyok, Pyongyang, North Korea, and is believed to be one of the top hospitals in North Korea, treating members of the political elite. It is administered by the Ministry of Public Health.

History

Construction on the clinic began in 1968, on orders from Kim Il Sung. The Clinic opened in 1971. The clinic underwent a series of expansions in 2003-2005 and 2009–2010.

Patients

Access to Ponghwa is restricted to members of North Korea's political elite, and the existence of the hospital is secret within North Korea.

Facilities

The Clinic has a helipad.
It is reportedly one of the few hospitals in North Korea capable of performing complex surgeries.

Weapons of mass destruction

The Clinic has been linked to the biological warfare program of North Korea.