In some areas of North Korea, running a personal vehicle transportation business has become a lucrative opportunity for young people. But with the sector dominated by children of the country’s wealthy entrepreneurial class, entry barriers remain steep for those without substantial capital.
“In Wonsan, more people in their 30s are making money by registering personal vehicles with taxi companies or other businesses to transport goods and passengers. There’s a widespread belief that you can always make a living if you have a vehicle, so wealthy parents are buying cars for their children,” a source in Kangwon Province told Daily NK recently.
Most young people earning income from private vehicles got their start with financial help from parents or spouses, the source said. Some drive the vehicles themselves, while others rent them out for fees.
Vehicle operators commonly pack in extra passengers to maximize profits—fitting five or six people into two seats, or ten people into six seats. Despite safety risks, carrying more passengers than vehicles can safely hold has become standard practice. These drivers operate freely by bribing traffic police and other law enforcement officers, the source explained.
Serious financial barrier for ordinary folks
In Wonsan, purchasing a sedan or van suitable for transportation business costs between 80,000 and 160,000 Chinese yuan ($11,100-$22,300). Additional costs include obtaining a driver’s license and vehicle registration.
“That’s a serious financial barrier for young people from ordinary families. Ultimately, only young people who can tap into their parents’ or spouse’s financial resources can count on stable income from private transportation,” the source said.
This reflects growing wealth stratification among North Korean youth, with the gap widening steadily.
“Young people from ordinary families work hard to raise funds for a vehicle, but it’s basically impossible to save tens of thousands of yuan without family help. That’s the frustrating reality for many young people,” the source added.
