Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, Large maternity facility in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Pyongyang Maternity Hospital is a skyscraper-scale hospital in the North Korean capital dedicated to maternity care and women's health. The main building has a curved facade and is flanked by four additional structures, forming a large complex that also houses a breast tumor research institute.
The hospital opened on 30 July 1980, the 34th anniversary of North Korea's Law on Sex Equality, a date chosen deliberately to signal the state's commitment to women's welfare. It was later renovated and expanded, with new facilities added to keep pace with the country's official priorities in public health.
The hospital occasionally receives foreign delegations and is presented as a showcase of the country's healthcare system. Visitors who have entered describe bright corridors, modern-looking equipment, and staff in white coats, an image carefully managed for outside eyes.
The building is visible from several points in the city, but access for foreign visitors is strictly controlled and typically only possible as part of an organized tour. Independent entry is not an option, so any visit depends entirely on the itinerary arranged by local guides.
Inside the building, dedicated video call booths let family members speak with new mothers during the first days after birth, when mothers remain in isolation. This setup offers a rare glimpse into how everyday technology is used within a system that is otherwise closed to outside observation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
