Following the enactment of legislation permitting private car ownership in North Korea, reports confirm a growing trend of personal vehicle acquisition. On Thursday, authorities also announced plans to expand taxi services across the country. This appears to be part of a broader strategy to enhance transportation options.
A Russian tourist, using the Telegram handle sir_s_gory, shared photographs of a new sedan believed to be manufactured by North Korea’s Chollima brand. These images were captured during the traveler’s visit to North Korea last October.
Sources familiar with North Korean affairs indicate that this new sedan closely resembles Chinese-made passenger cars intended for taxi use. The new Chollima model reportedly shares design elements, proportions, and technical specifications with the MG5 sedan produced by Shanghai Automotive in China.
Given North Korea’s outdated automotive technology, the regime appears to be opting for proven models with minor modifications to rapidly build a fleet of operational vehicles. Notably, some images reveal steering wheels bearing the MG logo inside these vehicles.
While the exact date of taxi introduction in North Korea remains unclear, there has been a marked increase in taxi availability since Kim Jong Un assumed leadership as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Although increased tourism plays a role, analysts primarily attribute this trend to modernizing attitudes among residents, particularly in Pyongyang and border regions.
Since 2017, North Korea has allowed individuals to own vehicles with yellow license plates, but registration was restricted to businesses and organizations, effectively operating as company cars. However, reports suggest that a 2024 legal amendment will enable individuals to register vehicles under their own names.
Singaporean photographer Aram Pan, who visited North Korea during the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party last October, shared on Instagram that he had only seen six yellow license plates during his visits since 2013. However, on this recent trip to Pyongyang alone, he observed over 100.
The surge in taxi availability points to changing lifestyle patterns among North Koreans in major cities like Pyongyang, reflecting a broader shift towards private car use over public transit options such as subways or trolleybuses.
Some experts interpret the North Korean government’s efforts to restructure the national taxi system as an attempt to better manage operations, registration, and fare structures. Others view these changes as preparation for anticipated increases in urban mobility demand, commercial activities, and service sector growth, aligning with this year’s national initiative to boost tourism.