North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un attended the grand opening of the Pyongyang General Hospital, a highly anticipated project timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
State media hailed the facility as a cornerstone of North Korea’s “modern public health strategy,” with Kim calling the hospital a “gift to the people” and a symbol of national resilience. The ceremony featured traditional fanfare, including a ribbon-cutting, cultural performances, and speeches by party and government officials.
“The successful completion of this hospital demonstrates the spirit of self reliance and unity of our people,” Kim said during the ceremony. He also praised healthcare workers and engineers who contributed to the construction and future operation of the facility, urging them to “continue raising the standards of socialist healthcare.”
The Pyongyang General Hospital has been under construction since 2020, when it was announced as a top priority infrastructure project. At the time, Kim expressed frustration over delays and management issues, vowing to see the project completed. Its opening now appears to mark a shift in focus toward social services and health infrastructure, despite ongoing economic struggles and international sanctions.
Healthcare Amid Isolation
The unveiling of the hospital comes as North Korea continues to maintain strict border controls and limited interaction with the outside world following the global COVID-19 pandemic. Independent observers have long questioned the state of the country’s medical infrastructure, but this new facility featuring expanded wards, diagnostic equipment, and training spaces may represent a bid to show domestic progress and bolster internal morale.
Officials described the hospital as part of a broader healthcare plan tied to the Workers’ Party’s goals of modernization and self sufficiency. While foreign media have not been granted access, state reports claim the facility meets “world-class” standards.
The event also serves a dual purpose: reinforcing public loyalty ahead of the Party’s anniversary and projecting stability at a time when North Korea faces continued economic and diplomatic challenges.
