Following a series of accidents involving unlicensed drivers in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, local party authorities have ordered inspections of drivers throughout the city.
“On May 15, the municipal party committee ordered city police and all organizations and enterprises to check drivers’ licenses in the Kaesong Industrial Complex and citywide,” a source in Kaesong told Daily NK recently.
The orders came after back-to-back accidents caused by unlicensed truck drivers at factories in the Kaesong Industrial Complex on May 1 and 2. Several people were injured in the accidents.
The orders stated that “given repeated vehicle collisions and other serious accidents amid a surge of unqualified drivers on our streets, this kind of lax discipline cannot be tolerated any longer.”
According to the source, the license inspections will unfold in two stages. The first will cover all drivers at factories in the Kaesong Industrial Complex. The second will extend to drivers at organizations and enterprises throughout the city.
Inspectors will verify that drivers’ vehicles match their license level and review their overall qualifications. Anyone caught driving without a license will face punishment including fines and community service.
The municipal party committee has instructed organizations and enterprises to finish checking their drivers’ licenses and qualifications and report findings by mid-June. The committee warned political leaders and administrators they may face punishment if their organizations submit late reports or are caught employing unlicensed drivers.
“In the past, it was common practice to overlook driving without a license. But after the latest orders, the entire industrial complex is in full panic mode,” the source said.
Police pocket more bribes from unlicensed drivers
On orders from the municipal party committee, city police are checking drivers’ licenses during inspections of trucks and other passing traffic. This has become the primary focus for officers at traffic checkpoints in Kaesong.
“Inspections have been much stricter than usual in May, which has been designated the ‘month of accident prevention measures.’ Rumor has it police are demanding double the usual bribe from anyone they catch. This basically gives police an excuse to pocket more money,” the source said.
