North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has acknowledged that his country lacks modern medical facilities and called for urgent improvements. The state media said that Kim's comments were made during a ceremony on Tuesday marking the start of construction on a new hospital.<br />'' <br />'' Experts say a coronavirus epidemic in the North Korea could be devastating due to its lack of medical supplies and outdated health care infrastructure.  <br />'' <br />'' North Korea has engaged in an intense campaign to guard against the new virus, though it has steadfastly maintained that no one has been sickened, a claim many foreign experts doubt.<br />''<br />'' North Korea banned foreign tourists, delayed the school year and quarantined hundreds of foreigners and thousands of locals to avoid the virus that has spread worldwide. <br />'' <br />'' About 290 foreigners who were quarantined in North Korea have been released and were flown to Vladivostok, Russia, on a special North Korean flight. <br />''