This archive report was first published on 20 July 2020.
Published on July 20, 2020, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken a rare step of publicly criticizing officials over the troubled construction of a flagship hospital in Pyongyang.
The Pyongyang General Hospital, a prime project aimed at improving the country's public health programme, has been plagued by issues with its finances and management.
According to the official KCNA news agency, Kim pointed out serious problems with the project's finances, stating that the commission in charge had organized the funds 'in a careless manner with no budget for the construction properly set up.'
Kim also expressed concern that the project, initiated for the 'good of the people', was 'burdening' them with demands for 'assistance.'
As a result, Kim ordered the ruling party's Central Committee to investigate and 'replace all the officials responsible' for the project's issues.
The exact date of Kim's visit to the construction site was not provided, but the report comes amid speculation that construction is being hampered by the North's difficulties securing materials due to tightened border controls over the coronavirus pandemic.
The North quickly shut down its borders after the virus was first detected in neighbouring China in January, and imposed strict containment measures.
