North Korean authorities have moved to take a full-scale response to address the issue of air pollution created by motor vehicles, Daily NK has learned.
Older automobiles have been fingered as the main cause of air pollution, according to a Daily NK source inside the country on May 3.
The country’s Ministry of Land and Environment Protection began a wide-ranging effort to crack down on “problematic vehicles” from early April. Authorities in the country have also moved to gradually eliminate diesel-fueled vehicles and have implemented a ban on the future operation of (diesel-fueled) full-sized vans and small buses.
“Existing diesel vehicles can’t immediately be replaced, but the government has warned that the state will either collect or dispose of vehicles if they are not retrofitted to take gasoline within the next five years,” the source said.
The source also explained, however, that cargo trucks weighing more than five tons are exempt from this policy because North Korean authorities have concluded that these vehicles are essential for the economy.
North Korean authorities also reportedly announced that approvals for the operation of vehicles used by individuals and companies will now fall completely under the management of the state.
While announcing that diesel vehicles are no longer to be imported into the country, the authorities also instructed the Ministry of State Security (MSS) to crack down on any imports.
The authorities also reportedly called on drivers to use alternative fuels as a way to address the country’s rampant fuel shortages, even calling for the active use of charcoal-powered vehicles.
Following criticism that the smoke generated from burning logs in these vehicles causes pollution, the authorities have reportedly responded vaguely by saying that the issue needs to be resolved “at some point.”
“Air pollution has long been talked about as an issue, but it seems like the authorities have reached a point where they can no longer delay a response,” the source said, adding, “The authorities want to reduce the number of diesel vehicles, but there’s been little thought about how to replace them.”
*Translated by Jason Bartlett
Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
