What plans for a new Pyongyang hospital say about class politics in North Korea



Analysis What plans for a new Pyongyang hospital say about class politics in North Korea The hospital's central, symbolic location could reflect growing demand for better medical facilities Christopher Green March 25, 2020 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Rodong Sinmun On March 18, North Korean state media revealed news of a major new public works project in central Pyongyang: a general hospital. The latest in a string of investments in the healthcare sector since Kim Jong Un came to power in late 2011, the project may be related to a probable local outbreak of COVID-19. But equally, it points towards the regime’s vision for capital city development, and how the regime both sees itself and wishes to be seen. The new hospital, built at the behest of Kim Jong Un and reflecting government concerns over the state of municipal Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01New North Korean ICBM delivers big political message, and likely bigger payloads 02How North Korea-Russia ties will challenge next US president, no matter who wins 03What to make of the stunning collapse in value of North Korean won 04What to know about Kim Yong Bok, the man leading North Korean troops in Russia 05If Trump: How erratic leader’s reelection could scramble North Korea policy 06North Korea’s admission of drone incursion exposes glaring gaps in air defenses 07The war in Ukraine is transforming how Europe perceives North Korean threats 08What North Korea stands to gain by sending troops to fight in Ukraine 09Satellite imagery shows DPRK laid explosives at edge of MDL to destroy roads 10Deciphering the return of No Kwang Chol as North Korea’s minister of defense

Analysis

What plans for a new Pyongyang hospital say about class politics in North Korea

The hospital's central, symbolic location could reflect growing demand for better medical facilities

Christopher Green March 25, 2020

What plans for a new Pyongyang hospital say about class politics in North Korea

Rodong Sinmun

On March 18, North Korean state media revealed news of a major new public works project in central Pyongyang: a general hospital.

The latest in a string of investments in the healthcare sector since Kim Jong Un came to power in late 2011, the project may be related to a probable local outbreak of COVID-19. But equally, it points towards the regime’s vision for capital city development, and how the regime both sees itself and wishes to be seen.

The new hospital, built at the behest of Kim Jong Un and reflecting government concerns over the state of municipal

01New North Korean ICBM delivers big political message, and likely bigger payloads
02How North Korea-Russia ties will challenge next US president, no matter who wins
03What to make of the stunning collapse in value of North Korean won
04What to know about Kim Yong Bok, the man leading North Korean troops in Russia
05If Trump: How erratic leader’s reelection could scramble North Korea policy
06North Korea’s admission of drone incursion exposes glaring gaps in air defenses
07The war in Ukraine is transforming how Europe perceives North Korean threats
08What North Korea stands to gain by sending troops to fight in Ukraine
09Satellite imagery shows DPRK laid explosives at edge of MDL to destroy roads
10Deciphering the return of No Kwang Chol as North Korea’s minister of defense

What plans for a new Pyongyang hospital say about class politics in North Korea

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Christopher Green