Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, inspected the nearly completed Pyongyang General Hospital and revealed the causes of its construction delays. He disclosed unauthorized fundraising activities during the construction process, which could potentially tarnish the regime’s image, while simultaneously using this information for propaganda purposes.
According to the party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, on the Wednesday, Kim inspected the hospital’s comprehensive laboratory, specialized departments, general surgery room, and helicopter landing pad the previous day. He addressed the complex issues that had arisen during the construction process since the hospital’s groundbreaking.
Kim explained that the hospital’s completion had been delayed by a year and a half, stating that while global health crises contributed to the delay, the primary reason lies in internal, artificial obstacles erected by certain cabinet officials and the confusion in economic organization caused by the vanity of those overseeing the Pyongyang General Hospital construction.
He noted that some officials had neglected financial discipline by proceeding with construction without approval for the overall budget, which accounted for changes in the hospital’s size and design. They also established unauthorized support organizations and launched a nationwide fundraising campaign.
Kim further revealed that a special measure was implemented last December to fully refund all contributions made by individual units and residents for the hospital’s construction.
The public disclosure of official corruption appears to be a strategic move to emphasize the successful construction of the Pyongyang General Hospital for the people, despite numerous challenges.
Kim stressed that even in these difficult times, the buildings we erect through the own efforts will become valuable assets, bringing happiness to the people and future generations, and serving as a solid foundation for national revival. This statement underscores Kim’s commitment to prioritizing the people and safeguarding future generations.
In addition, with the 80th anniversary of the party’s founding on October 10 and the 9th party congress scheduled for early next year, there seems to be an intention to tighten ideological control over officials. Notably, they are required to complete the five-year national economic development plan established in 2021 by the end of this year.
Kim has previously exposed party officials’ corruption to the public. Last July, he criticized the supervisors’ negligence at the Samjiyon construction site—a situation dating back to 2018. Following massive floods that month, he reprimanded the deteriorating administrative and economic discipline under the Kim Tok Hun cabinet, leading to the dismissal of some officials.
Earlier in January this year, Kim convened an expanded meeting of the 30th Secretariat of the 8th Central Committee, publicly reprimanding local officials in Nampo City and Jagang Province for misconduct and ordering strict measures against them. Recently, he held officials accountable for a grounding incident during a new destroyer’s launch ceremony, drawing nationwide attention.
During this local inspection, Kim stated that this clearly illustrates the inherent lack of discipline in state economic activities, the subjective whims of officials, and the immaturity in the political leadership. He emphasized the need to enhance the political readiness of leading officials and reinforce discipline among those in the economic sector.
North Korea held the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pyongyang General Hospital in March 2020, initially planning to complete it by the party’s founding day on October 10 of that year, though this target was not met. Later, during the Supreme People’s Assembly in January, Kim directed that it be completed by the end of 2024, but this deadline was also missed. Kim visited the hospital in February this year, and no significant progress has been reported since. The hospital’s completion ceremony is expected to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the party’s founding this year.
