Kim Jong Un’s visit to a Chinese traditional medicine factory in Beijing on Wednesday is a sign of the North Korean leader’s interest in the domestic health sector, the manager of the prominent Pyongyang Pharmaceutical Factory said in an article in Friday’s edition of ruling party organ Rodong Sinmun.

The visit, Kim’s only public factory tour of this week’s trip to China, sparked speculation that health product manufacturing – one of the few remaining non-sanctioned sectors – may become an even bigger domestic priority, and followed mention of the industry in this year’s New Year’s Address.