Kim Jong-un’s “Solid Launchpad for Healthcare,”
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Chae-rim Ha = North Korea has reportedly completed the Pyongyang General Hospital five years after its groundbreaking, with plans to open by October, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 28th.
The report states that the Pyongyang General Hospital features a comprehensive surgery room with 30 operating theaters, departments specializing in emergency medicine and other treatments, a conference hall for academic discussions, convenience facilities, and a helicopter landing pad.
Chairman Kim Jong-un visited the hospital on the 27th and remarked that “the foundation has been laid for rebuilding and dramatically advancing the nation’s healthcare sector on a sophisticated basis,” expressing “great satisfaction.”
North Korea released photos of Chairman Kim touring the hospital’s exterior, central lobby, rooftop helicopter pad, parking lot, and dining facilities. However, the absence of visible medical equipment raises the possibility that these have yet to be installed.
The report predicted that the hospital would open in October, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party of Korea, after undergoing medical equipment assembly and comprehensive operational testing.
Chairman Kim urged the hospital to be completed as a high-grade medical service hub without any flaws and presented as a “gift” to the people in this significant year marked as the inaugural year of the health revolution.
Furthermore, he outlined tasks for constructing hospitals not only at newly built central-level hospitals but also in cities and counties nationwide. North Korea has previously announced plans to build hospitals in three locations this year and 20 municipalities annually starting next year.
Chairman Kim’s visit was accompanied by Pak Tae-sung, Premier of the Cabinet, Jo Yong-won, Party Secretary of Organization, Kim Jae-ryong, Party Department Chief, and Kim Yo-jong, Party Deputy Department Head.
The Pyongyang General Hospital faced delays despite an initial directive for completion by October 2020, due to chronic material shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the situation.
While North Korea has achieved some progress in construction projects like residential complexes in Pyongyang, the hospital project, which requires not just building exteriors but also expensive equipment and trained medical personnel, likely relies on external support from countries like Russia.