Traffic Dispute in Pyongyang... Car Ownership Brings 'New Worries'

[Anchor]

Since 2024, North Korea changed its laws to allow individuals to own vehicles. As a result, it is reported that new concerns, such as traffic congestion and accident handling, which did not happen often before, are emerging.

Reporter Kim Ah-young has the details.

[Reporter]

Two passenger cars are stopped on the road, and people presumed to be the drivers are gesturing as if arguing over a dispute.

This is a video posted on social media late last month by a Swedish North Korean specialist travel agency, stating it was the scene of a traffic accident in Pyongyang during the evening.

Eyewitness accounts saying that traffic congestion and minor collisions are occurring in downtown Pyongyang have been appearing quite frequently lately.

[North Korean Travel Agency Guide: Vehicle accidents are becoming a common issue for us. Therefore, our country has created a regulation where vehicles ending in odd numbers are allowed to operate only on odd-numbered days.]

Trends showing that North Korean authorities relaxed regulations on individual vehicle ownership were first confirmed in 2024.

Since then, vehicles with yellow license plates belonging to individuals have been spotted, in addition to blue and black plates belonging to institutions or the military, and red plates owned by foreigners.

Korean Central Television even broadcast a video like this for drivers and passengers on the 15th.

[Korean Central Television (on the 15th): Talking to the driver or even lighting and offering a cigarette. (Yes, under the guise of preventing sleepiness.) Actions intended to prevent drowsiness can actually reduce the driver's concentration and cause traffic accidents.]

This appears to be an effort to educate people on road traffic laws as various large and small problems arise with many cars coming out onto the roads.

Reuters estimated that the number of vehicles in Pyongyang likely exceeded 10,000, given the appearance of 5-digit license plates.

While it is difficult to make a direct comparison with Seoul, if the increasing trend continues, air quality and parking space management could also become new headaches.

The vehicles are estimated to have been mostly smuggled through China,

[Travel YouTuber: This is a different level. It's an elite car. A Mercedes.]

Some analyze that this vehicle situation in Pyongyang reflects the reality of UN sanctions against North Korea breaking down.

(Video Editing: Choi Jin-hwa, Video Source: Korean Konsult AB, YouTube @AntonKurtev, Reuters)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.