By Yi Whan-woo
North Korea has been experiencing heavier traffic in its capital Pyongyang because of more foreign investors and construction projects in and around the city, according to sources, Sunday.
They said officials working for international investment firms have been driving imported cars in Pyongyang and using taxis that are mostly made in China.
The sources said trucks also are frequently seen across Pyongyang.
Recent photographs released by those who have traveled to the secretive state show traffic controllers in the middle of usually deserted Pyongyang intersections.
“The offices of foreign investors are mostly concentrated in Pyongyang and those investors have been bringing their cars through China,” a source said. “Their cars are mainly made in China but a considerable number of others are from Europe.”
The source said some sedans and sports utility vehicles spotted in Pyongyang were made by three German automakers ― Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen ― while others were made by Japanese auto giants, including Toyota, Lexus and Nissan.
Middle- and upper-class citizens in Pyongyang have been investing in the taxi business over the years, the source said.
“In addition to foreign tourists and wealthy North Koreans, a diverse group of passengers have been using taxis lately and taxi operators are purchasing more cars amid growing competition,” the source said. “Along with cargo and dump trucks, they are lined up in the street and move slowly, though such traffic jams do not happen regularly.”