Traffic jams suddenly appeared in North Korea after the rules were changed
In North Korea, where the roads have been nearly empty for years, there are suddenly far more cars on the streets—a change even tourists have noticed, seeing traffic jams where none existed before. The reason is simple yet unusual for this country: the government has partially allowed citizens to purchase private vehicles, according to Supercar Blondie.
North Korea, which for a long time remained one of the most closed-off countries in the world with a minimal amount of private transportation, is gradually changing its internal structure, and this is most clearly visible on the roads, where until recently there was almost complete silence. After decades of strict restrictions, citizens with driver’s licenses are now allowed to purchase cars through state-run dealerships, and according to the rules, each family may own at least one car.
According to international media, including Reuters, it was precisely after the rules were relaxed that traffic in the country began to grow rapidly, and what once seemed almost impossible has now become a new reality—traffic jams have appeared in Pyongyang, and there is even a shortage of parking spaces in some areas.
China remains the main supplier of cars to the North Korean market, and among the vehicles observed by monitors are both Chinese brands like Chery and Geely, as well as premium-class cars such as BMW and Audi, although the companies themselves officially state that they have no confirmed information about their use in North Korea. At the same time, demand for related goods is also growing, particularly for car tires, whose shipments, according to journalists, have increased by nearly 88% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
At the same time, cars with yellow license plates—indicating private ownership—are increasingly visible in the capital, and this is an important symbol of change for North Korea, as until recently, car ownership was simply out of reach for most citizens.
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