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North Korea’s government has launched a major propaganda campaign to accelerate provincial construction projects across the country, using the swift completion of Kangdong County Hospital as its model. The campaign comes after the hospital was finished in just nine months, a timeframe the regime is now presenting as the new standard for construction projects nationwide.
According to a source in Pyongyang who spoke with Daily NK, the ruling party’s propaganda department immediately mobilized after news of the hospital’s completion broke on November 20. By the following day, officials had already created the slogan “Finish construction the same year you begin it” and ordered mandatory study sessions focused on learning from what they called “the revolutionary spirit of the builders of Kangdong County Hospital.”
The propaganda department mandated that intensive study sessions be organized throughout Pyongyang between November 21 and 22. Additionally, the first week of December was designated as a period for propaganda, agitation, and intensive study at all workplaces across the country to promote the construction model.
During these December sessions, the party is emphasizing that completing construction within the same calendar year will now serve as the standard for policy implementation. Officials are repeatedly invoking the nationalist slogan “Korea’s guts, Korea’s speed” to motivate workers and administrators.
The campaign has placed tremendous pressure on ongoing construction projects, with the propaganda department insisting that all building efforts be completed either within the current year or by early next year. These completed projects are to be presented to the party as “reports of loyalty,” with officials highlighting that Kangdong County Hospital was finished in approximately 280 days.
“The party demanded that officials scientifically calculate the deadline for finishing construction by early next year and take personal responsibility for reporting it,” the Pyongyang source said. “They stressed that officials must race forward without even a second’s rest.”
The directive also places personal accountability on party and state officials at all levels, requiring them to take direct responsibility for construction sites. Officials must clearly determine and report who is in charge of what aspects of each project, when tasks will be completed, and where resources are being allocated.
“The party demanded that party and administrative officials of all levels shoulder the load like commanders of the revolutionary general staff and strongly push the pace of construction,” the source added. With year-end evaluations approaching, the propaganda department has issued stern warnings that workplaces falling behind schedule would be branded as “self-preservationists, not innovators” – a potentially dangerous political label in North Korea’s system.
The intensity of the campaign has created a tense atmosphere among managing officials connected to construction projects. Many are reportedly working late into the night to find ways to accelerate building timelines and meet the new expectations.
Meanwhile, working-level personnel at construction sites face the difficult task of calculating realistic completion dates while accounting for actual on-site conditions. Some construction sites have already filed reports highlighting shortages of essential supplies and labor that could prevent them from meeting the aggressive new timelines.
The burden falls most heavily on construction workers themselves, who according to the source, are bitterly complaining about “another insane deadline” and questioning whether they “forever live amid empty formalities.”
North Korean state media, including the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, reported on November 20 that a ceremony marking Kangdong County Hospital’s completion was held the previous day with Kim Jong Un in attendance. During the ceremony, the North Korean leader reportedly declared that “proclaiming inauguration in the year of groundbreaking is the standard speed of achieving” – a statement that has now become central to the nationwide construction acceleration campaign.
The push for rapid construction comes amid ongoing economic difficulties in North Korea, raising questions about whether quality and safety standards may be compromised in the drive to meet politically motivated deadlines.
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8 Comments
While North Korea is touting the Kangdong Hospital as a model, one has to be skeptical of the regime’s propaganda efforts. The real story is likely more complex, with potential concerns around worker welfare and resource allocation.
Agreed. The North Korean government has a history of exaggerating its achievements for political gain. It’s crucial to look beyond the surface-level claims and consider the full context.
The one-year deadline for construction projects seems unrealistic and raises questions about the quality and safety of the buildings. North Korea’s focus on speed over substance is concerning, as it may compromise the well-being of workers and the long-term functionality of these facilities.
While the speedy completion of the Kangdong Hospital is an impressive logistical feat, it’s important to remember that this is likely part of a broader propaganda campaign by the North Korean regime. The true conditions and long-term viability of these projects deserve closer scrutiny.
It’s encouraging to see North Korea investing in healthcare infrastructure, but the propaganda surrounding the Kangdong Hospital is troubling. Rushing construction projects to meet arbitrary deadlines often leads to substandard work and safety issues.
Absolutely. Rushing construction can also create unnecessary stress and pressure on workers, potentially leading to accidents or other problems down the line. A more balanced approach focused on quality and sustainability would be preferable.
The rapid construction of the Kangdong Hospital is an impressive feat, showcasing North Korea’s ability to mobilize labor and resources efficiently. However, one has to wonder about the long-term sustainability and quality of such rushed projects.
You raise a fair point. Rapid construction may come at the cost of proper planning, safety, and durability. It will be interesting to see how these hospitals hold up over time.