Have you ever wondered what happens when a country known for absolute control suddenly shows cracks in its system — not because of foreign threats, but because of something as basic as… a school supply factory?
Yes, that’s exactly what’s happening right now in North Korea.
In one of the most striking political moments of the year, Kim Jong-un reprimands officials 2025 has become a headline that’s turning heads across the globe. During a recent inspection, Kim didn’t scold generals or spies — this time, his fury was directed at education and cabinet officials.
And the reason?
A shocking five-year delay in the construction of key factories meant to produce school supplies and teaching tools — a project Kim himself had once called vital to the nation’s future.
So, what really went wrong?
Why is Kim Jong-un reprimands officials 2025 such a big deal, especially when it’s over something as simple as an education material factory?
And what does this tell us about the changing tone of his leadership as 2025 draws to a close?
Let’s start from the beginning.
The Inspection That Sparked an Outburst
It all began when Kim Jong-un made an unannounced visit to several construction sites in Pyongyang, where new school supply and teaching tool factories are being built.
These factories were meant to produce essential classroom materials — notebooks, pens, teaching kits — the basic foundation for schools across the country.
When Kim arrived, expecting progress, what he found instead was delay, disorganization, and excuses.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), he toured the facilities and was visibly unhappy with what he saw. The leader reportedly said the project had been discussed in multiple ruling party plenary meetings over several years, yet “no substantial progress” had been made — not until mid-2025.
And that’s when things got serious.
“The Problem Lies in Their Mindset” — Kim’s Harsh Words
KCNA quoted Kim as saying that the real issue wasn’t just the construction delay — it was a “problem of attitude.”
He criticized the Cabinet and Education Ministry officials, accusing them of having the wrong mindset and poor sense of responsibility.
For Kim Jong-un, this wasn’t just about buildings. It was about discipline.
He reminded his officials that the Workers’ Party of Korea had repeatedly emphasized improving the “material foundation for education.” And yet, for five years, nothing had changed.
So, he issued a warning: the issue would be brought up at the upcoming plenary party meeting — which, in North Korean terms, means some officials could face public criticism, demotion, or even dismissal.
But before you think this is just another outburst from an authoritarian leader, here’s the interesting part…
Why Education Suddenly Matters So Much
North Korea has always projected strength through its military-first policy. So why would Kim care so deeply about something like school supplies?
Experts say this moment reveals a subtle shift in the regime’s strategy.
In recent years, Kim Jong-un has been trying to reshape his public image — from a military strongman to a “modern state builder.” He’s spoken about improving living standards, building new housing, and even encouraging science and technology education.
By focusing on education factories, he’s signaling that he wants to control not just the ideology of the next generation — but also their learning environment.
Education in North Korea isn’t just about math or literature; it’s a tool for shaping loyalty. Every notebook, every textbook, every image printed for classrooms carries state-approved messages about patriotism and devotion to the ruling Kim family.
So, a delay in the education material factories isn’t just a bureaucratic failure — it’s a failure in the ideological supply chain of North Korea itself.
The Role of the Military Builders
Interestingly, amid his criticism, Kim also took a moment to praise the military builders who were helping with the construction.
He reportedly said,
“The education material factory is a key plant that guarantees nationwide supply.”
That sentence may sound simple, but in North Korea, every word matters. By calling it a “key plant,” Kim elevated the importance of this project to a national priority — the same level as major defense or energy projects.
It also shows how heavily the military is involved in nearly all forms of infrastructure development in North Korea — from building apartments to now, even factories for school supplies.
This dual tone — praise for the military and criticism for civilian officials — sends a clear message: loyalty and action matter more than excuses.
The Five-Year Mystery: Why Was It Delayed So Long?
Now, here’s where the story gets even more interesting.
Kim mentioned that the plan to build these factories had been discussed for five years, yet little was done. That takes us back to around 2020 — when North Korea was hit by international sanctions, COVID-19 border closures, and economic strain.
Raw material shortages, power outages, and lack of imported equipment likely slowed construction.
But in North Korea, admitting to such practical problems is rare. Instead, the leadership frames it as an “attitude issue.”
Why? Because blaming officials maintains the image that the system itself — and Kim’s rule — are never at fault.
In a country where appearance equals control, delay equals disobedience.
The Deadline: Finish by End of 2025
After his inspection, Kim reportedly issued a strict order:
The factories must be completed by the end of this year, and operations should begin in the first half of 2026.
That’s an incredibly ambitious timeline, considering the five-year delay that already happened. But North Korea’s system thrives on such directives — immediate, top-down commands designed to show urgency and authority.
And if history is any indication, those involved will likely push themselves to finish it, no matter the cost.
What This Means for Kim Jong-un’s Leadership
So what’s the bigger picture here?
Kim Jong-un’s anger isn’t just about a construction site. It’s about control — political, ideological, and generational.
He’s entering the second decade of his rule, and the old guard of officials who worked under his father and grandfather are slowly fading. By demanding results from education projects, he’s showing that his version of progress won’t tolerate stagnation or excuses.
It’s also a signal to the North Korean people that he is watching everything, even the smallest details of the state’s operations.
And to the world, it’s another reminder that while North Korea may remain closed off, Kim Jong-un is still trying to shape a legacy — not just of missiles and parades, but of a modern state that functions under his watchful eye.
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Conclusion
At first glance, this story might seem like a minor, local story – a construction project behind schedule, a leader exploding, and a telling-off of officials, especially the construction site foreman or worker.
But in North Korea, everything is symbolic.
A factory behind schedule is not simply mismanagement – it is representative of the larger problems in the country; bureaucratic mismanagement, scarcity of resources, and incessant desire to portray fakeness as reality.
So as 2025 approaches, the order from Kim Jong-un to finish the material factory for education is not simply an order, it is also a test.
A test of loyalty, an attempt to force productivity, and a measure to report obedience to a system that demands plastic appearances.
Will there finally be an open educational factory in 2026?
or will this dissipate as yet another empty promise in the visible slogans of North Korean progress?
Only time will tell. But one thing’s clear — in Kim Jong-un’s North Korea, even a school supply factory can become a battlefield of power.
