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Pyongyang's Car Boom Sparks First Traffic Jams, Parking Crunch

5/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Private car ownership is expanding in Pyongyang, creating the city’s first traffic jams and prompting demand for parking and EV charging.
Kim Jong Un inspected a Pyongyang auto-service center as imports of tires, mirrors and lubricants rose sharply in 2025, indicating growing car-part demand.
Observers report yellow plates on hundreds of Chinese-brand cars, five-digit registrations and informal attendants charging for scarce parking spots.

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Story summary

Private car ownership is expanding in Pyongyang, creating the city’s first traffic jams and prompting demand for parking and EV charging.
Kim Jong Un inspected a Pyongyang auto-service center as imports of tires, mirrors and lubricants rose sharply in 2025, indicating growing car-part demand.
Observers report yellow plates on hundreds of Chinese-brand cars, five-digit registrations and informal attendants charging for scarce parking spots.