One reason for the lag is that North Korea requires doctors studying abroad to be fully funded by the host nations, not just for the cost of tuition but also for room and board. Few such programs are available. Another reason given is that the country is still in a war-time mentality. The military receives priority when it comes to medical care because the state is focused on ensuring that all able-bodied persons are fit to contribute to the preservation of the country. Physicians are primarily tasked with remedying acute diseases. To put all of this in perspective, however, the most common
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