After the 1988 Summer Olympics had been awarded to Seoul , North Korea doubled down its efforts to present itself as the legitimate Korean state . As part of these efforts , it successfully bid to organize the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students in Pyongyang in 1989 . Massive construction projects were initiated in preparation for the festival , one of which was the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium . At the time of completion , it was the largest stadium ever built in Asia
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
13th World Festival of Youth and Students
Rungrado 1st of May Stadium