North Korea is highlighting the role of women with the inauguration of a new government-sponsored tourist facility in Pyongyang. The project, which combines patriotism with ideological messaging, signals a growing visibility for women in the country’s tightly regulated social order.
The state-run Workers’ Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, announced Monday that the new Pyongyang Women’s Union Tour Center was constructed “under the generous guidance of the Party.” The center occupies a prominent spot along the scenic banks of the Taedong River.
The facility covers an area exceeding 10,000 square meters and stands 15 stories tall. According to the report, it can accommodate hundreds of visitors and is equipped with bedrooms, dining areas, bathhouses, and gyms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally directed the construction and closely supervised the project to ensure high quality, the newspaper noted.
Eligibility for the program is selective, targeting women from organizations officially recognized as model units. These women have notably led community initiatives, held leadership roles, or have been praised for having and raising several children.
The Pyongyang tour program is part of North Korea’s broader campaign to reinforce ideological loyalty. Chosen exemplary citizens typically spend about a week in the capital, visiting key historic sites and leisure amenities. Similar centers have already been established specifically for farmers.
Creating a dedicated facility for women highlights the regime’s recent efforts to publicly acknowledge and encourage their dual roles as workers and mothers.
In December 2023, Kim Jong Un addressed the National Mothers’ Conference, emphasizing that women have a responsibility both in the workforce and in increasing their birth rates. The regime has implemented various incentives to boost childbirth, including giving priority for housing to families with multiple children. Including mothers with large families in the Pyongyang tour aligns with these pro-birth policies.