Ju Kwon Il, PhD, associate professor and section chief at the Choe Kyong Thae Endocrinology Institute, is one of the authorities on endocrinology and metabolism.

One January day in Juche 107 (2018), a 15-year-old girl from Ranam District, Chongjin City, North Hamgyong Province, was carried to the institute.

According to a rough medical checkup, both eyes of the patient were blind and her stomach was as swollen as that of a woman in the third trimester.

The disease diagnosed at the consultation based on the detailed examination and instrumental test was severe Type 1 diabetes. Moreover, the patient was at the risk of developing complications such as diabetic cataract, diabetic polyneuropathy and diabetic nephropathy, accompanied by chronic hepatitis, helminthiasis and cystitis.

The origin of the disease still remains unknown in the medical circle, and it was a rare one with its prevalence rate amounting to one in 1 000 or one in 10 000.

Ju Kwon Il in charge of the patient fell into deep thoughts because he had neither encountered such a rare case nor had concrete guidelines for its treatment.

I should save at any cost that young life like my child, he told himself.

While observing carefully the patient’s reaction to relevant medicines, he consulted with experienced physicians to identify every attribute of the case. In those days he established the most suitable therapy and dietary cure for the patient. As a result, the patient began to show signs of recovery, and she could leave the hospital in good health in over 100 days.

Over the past two decades or so, Ju has brought hope and delight of life to many cases.

His medical skills have not been acquired easily.

In his childhood he dreamed of becoming a medical worker. After serving in the army, he entered Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences in Juche 79 (1990) and made research achievements during his postgraduate days to draw the attention of the medical circle.

In Juche 89 (2000), he was assigned to the institute and started treatment and research on endocrinopathy.

With rich clinical experiences and profound knowledge in the endocrinology and metabolism sector, he participated in various international diabetes seminars held in different countries, contributing to the development of diabetology at home.

Teaching part-time at Pyongyang University of Medical Sciences and Pyongyang College of Medical Sciences, he has trained a number of degree holders in endocrinology and metabolism.

As a member of the Diabetes and Hyperlipemia Committee under the Korea Hospital Association, he has authored books including “Diet for Diabetes” and “Clinical Practice of Diabetes”, guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine and metabolic diseases and dozens of essays, helping develop the country’s medical sciences.

Ham Kwang Hyok