[1] It was built in 1974–1975 to provide a venue for military education, and was originally called the February 8 House of Culture.

[1] The classically colonnaded building[4] is considered one of the best examples of 1970s socialist monumentality in North Korea,[5] the other being the visually similar Mansudae Art Theatre.

[1][2] The building as proposed was originally named the February 8 House of Culture after the date of the 1948 official founding of the Korean People's Army (KPA).

In addition to meetings for military education, awards and solidarity,[4][13] and official state ceremonies and party meetings such as the 6th and 7th Congresses of the Workers' Party of Korea,[14][15] the theatres in the 25 April House of Culture are used for cultural events such as performances by the Korean People's Army Ensemble,[2] or the band Moranbong.

[4] The North Korean postal service issued a stamp on 7 October 1976, primarily for domestic use, depicting the then new building.