Pyongyang Metro EXPLAINED | North Korea's Metro Network
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 28. 02. 2021
- The Pyongyang Metro is one of Pyongyang's most used, and certainly most famous public transportation system. The Pyongyang metro is always a highlight for tourists visiting the DPRK's capital - especially now foreign visitors can traverse the entire network.
Despite the recent openness, many still have questions about the Pyongyang Metro - so, here's my attempt to explain how it works and what it looks like. Enjoy!
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Twitter: @BenWestonDPRK
Instagram: @BenWestonDPRK
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Croatian Subtitles: Tvrtko BaliÄ
Working on a new project as we speak - hopefully coming out in the next week or so. Kaesong EXPLAINED. I really don't know what people want to see on this channel, so I'm going to throw a few series ideas at the wall and see what sticks. Please let me know what aspects of the DPRK you want to see me explain next, and in the meantime, I'll keep working on new ideas. Thanks for watching!
Also; thanks to everyone who's subscribed. I wrote my Kaesong script to celebrate hitting 800 subs, and now it looks like we'll hit 2K before it comes out!
(The channel has grown so quickly that I haven't got access to the Community Posts feature yet, which would have been a better place to post this...)
I'm just here for the infrastructure lol
@@Timothy.Hutama Fair play - will work on some new infrastructure DPRK videos when I can come up with some new ideas
Im new here and after watching your Air Koryo video, you got a new subscriber
Don't know if you knew this but the main reason the built it so deep is the same reason Moscow (Who helped them build it) did so, To also be used as a shelter incase of War and incoming bombs.
@@DennisTheInternationalMenace True - when you walk into the stations there are huge steel blast doors in place in case of emergency
I love it when travel bloggers actually speak the language of the country they're dealing with. That's why for example Bald and bankrupt is so successful.
True! I'll get him to the DPRK one day!
@@DPRKExplained Just tell him there are Soviet mosaics there and you can't stop him đ
Actually I am impressed about how informative this is
Itâs also worth mentioning that these metro trains are originally BVG D series trains from Berlin, Germany, and were built between 1957-1965. Pyongyang bought 108 of them in 1998 for about 1.5mâŹ, and shipped them there. Except the exterior paint and some electronics, these trains are in original condition.
Because of a shortage of electricity in Pyongyang, they have to run these trains at less power than what they were built for, which causes the slower acceleration compared to the units that remained in Germany.
Even funnier. The is a german video report by the TV Format "galileo" . In there the reporter was apparently able to find his window scratching graffiti which he himself used to do at the time these trains were still in Berlin, where he used to live. He instantly could see that the trains has new colouring but apparently the Windows were never exchanged, which made him curious to look for his graffiti in the first place. Though him finding it apparently didn't resonate too well with his korean guides.
I think at some point they even had the BVG G too.
Finally. A channel that explains North Korea without any bias, whistles, or antagonization and actual decent Korean pronunciation. Just pure facts. Thank you.
Really?!!
@@UkOutreach Yes.
I love that there is No sensationalism or making things seem worse they are.. All this time I had the impression that Pyongyang was essentially a village with the highlight being that incomplete triangular village. It is actually a modernish city with lots to see. If only lt was easier to visit
@Jon_travolta anything that isn't "NK is hell on earth" is biased according to you guys.
i would say there is a little bit of bias because the channel operator also does travel agency business on the side. but it is still good, in depth content.
This is full of effort and passion. Even better than some CZcamsrs with millions of subscribers. Keep it up Benjamin and never give up. I'll watch your channel grow.
Haha - thanks. It's been easier since Covid means we can't actually go to Korea so I've got time on my hands!
As someone who loves researching different public transport networks, for a relatively difficult country to look at, this is like a gem. Next Iran would be interestingđ
It should be noticed that most of the system is operated with ex-Berlin units that were built in the 1960s/1970s and were sold secondhand in 1997 to 2001, replacing the previous type DK4 of 1973 that was claimed to have been built in the DPRK but actually seem to have come from China. Recently some newer looking units have shown up but these actually seem to be modernized type D units from Berlin.
As a railway and metro fan, I love the old German Subway trains. Always nice to see some historic trains still running. Some of those trains are even still running in Berlin.
Watching these old east-Berlin trains is like a time machine
Nope....the trains used to run in West-Berlin. The East Berlin Subways looked very different. Both were well built though.
@@Invictus888 not "nope": early d-stock-trains have been sold from west berlin to east-berlin in the late 80s. during reunification they have bee sold to pyonyang.
@@guidoarnold2212Exactly....They were West Berlin trains to begin with.
@@guidoarnold2212 You just proved his point. They were originally West Berlin trains
@@new-lviv Perfectly sums up the trend of human progress, from capitalism to socialism.
Wow I couldnât believe it when I saw you had less than 2k subs, that wonât last long! Your work is fantastic!
Thank you! I hope so
Their metro looks alot more cleaner and presentable than many western cities
Because no one uses it...
Less population, stricter rules and a little bit of asian collectivism
Similar to the subway in many other communist or former communist countries. Subway stations are the peoples palaces.
@@JBDTV "Because no one uses it"
then explain all those people using it. They're not actors, they're ordinary Pyongyang citizens who use the metro because they don't have a car. I see you've been brainwashed by mainstream media
If you want to see a clean western metro, look no further than Vienna
I think the Pyongyang metro is the deepest metro system but in Kiev they have metro stations that are deeper than in Pyongyang but great video anyway.
A really awesome video, very fascinating to watch. Looking forward to all your next ones!
You deserve so many more views! This is great content.
Yes he deserves to be recognized by the North Korean government for his efforts
I really love your transportation network videos. And I'm happy to see I'm not the only one into these things... So happy I found your channel :3
A very informative video, I particularly enjoyed the tourist style map you went for. Well done.
You put so much good effort in this video and it shows, great job!
Thanks!
So happy this channel exists
Great content Ben. Any idea where the yard/maintenance facility is and as the entire system is underground, how did they get the new trains into the system?
2:50, So Internationally famous the art studio is that this is the first time 99% of anyone here has ever heard of it...
However very informative video.
This is a good and well researched video, I didn't even see your sub count but assumed you had hundreds of thousands
Hey man! Just got your channel recommended to me, first your old video on the SPA, and then I checked this one out. Your videos are really well done, and there's not a whole lot out there about daily life in North Korea. If you enjoy making CZcams videos, I think you have great potential! :)
Excellent video, very well edited and clearly presented interesting information :)
Thanks very much
I really enjoy these videos! Please keep on with the great work.
Cheers - let me know if there are any topics you'd be interested in
Sad that N. Korea has a metro system when Ireland in 2021 doesn't.
Depends on size if the city and the overall population, population density.
Very nice and informative video!
Cool video, thanks for sharing. I would love to see some more videos like this on the DPRK.
More to come!
I always see those dots while tourists use the metro but it is only now I know the points and names.
Kudos and thanks.
I have watched all you vids and cannot wait for new ones.
You didn't mention that there is an abandoned station between Samhung and Rakwon.
D'ya know, I had it in the original script, not sure why I didn't include it, because it's bloody interesting
Amazing video âïž subbed
This channel is excellent
Wow.... very detail.... Right up .. Bald & Bankrupt's alley... Soviet sink , soviet train ,soviet mosaic, soviet seats......AWESOME content.... i just click the Subscribe button... you deserve it.. If only DPRK get their together, if the money that can make in tourism..... Even the railway station are built next to so many landmarks...... Geezzz...
Yeah except B&B would get his ass arrested in this hellhole.
I believe the network is nuclear bomb shelters as well. There are some very impressive doors down there. Glad to hear I can now tour all of the network, when I was there only three stations was open to foreigners. I was able to walk alone freely all over the city and I got lost at night. Quite an interesting experience. I believe tourists are more controlled now. I just happened to be there in a window of freedom for tourists. I also had no restrictions for taking pictures and videos.
@@new-lviv Tourism is booming in NK, what's wrong in visiting?
Mostly Chinese, But the rest of the world is joining in it's called "cultural travel".
Itâs not uncommon for metro stations to also function as bomb shelters. Here in Germany some metro stations still have their original bed/sanitary rooms, even though theyâre sealed off and out of operation now. But yeah, especially when considering how far below ground the Pyongyang network is, theyâd be really stupid if they wouldnât use them as shelters too!
@@RatorLP At the end of the day, most big cities designed Subways with that double purpose. Same as many Highways were planned as temporary airports or army supply roads; depending on the region and needs.
ALSO many "Glorious Avenues" in the world were build wide to offer better Army access to their critical centers. (Hitler had a hand on those ideas...)
@@900108Chale yes, indeed
Kiev metro, as being a Soviet system, has some impressive shelter doors, and is also quite deep in the city centre. However outer extensions, that were built later are not very deep and can be easily damaged by construction works on the surface (that actually happened)
Great video.
Those are old metros from Berlin. still cool to see them in use.
Great work on an informative unbiased video that actually shows a functioning Pyongyang.
Another interesting video
T'is just the beginning!
Great to see a video with actual info and not just myths. Thanks a lot for making this.
err, or they're just very nicely crafted myths.
@@hmbpnz I have severely criticized this channel when they traffic in crafted myths, as it's done a few times to my knowledge (and doubtless more beyond my expertise) - the hotel video is one such case. In this case the details are as close as any serious source can verify. That's my perspective as someone who's followed the DPRK in general and its economy and infrastructure in particular for around fifteen years. What am I missing, in your view?
@@ignoblesurfer6281 I don't think that you are missing anything. I'm making a cynical comment about the general nature of these comments praising DPRK.
@@hmbpnz Fair enough!
Thanks a lot for this interesting video!
Back when I was in Pyongyang it happened to see some railway cars painted in the same livery as the metro ones on the outskirts of the city on the way to Sunan... I suppose those are used on ground level as some kind of light train... I was wondering if there is any connection between the rails of the metro and the ground, maybe some kind of train elevator used to bring up cars for maintenance
Possibly... maybe maintenance? I would assume the metro depots are above ground
@@DPRKExplained Seems to me they had to get the cars down there somehow in the first place....
They use some ex-Berlin U-Bahn sets as units on the regular network. Steel sided type rather than the ones on the video.
Well as a Metro Enthusiasts, I think Pyongyang Metro is one of the most unique Metro Systems in the world. As Stations are so Deep that people can use the stations as a bunker during war times.
Also interested in how to fit elevators into such stations should Pyongyang decide to make their subways accessible.
Staircases between Mezzanine and Platform so wide I think that if Pyongyang comes under ROK control, it might get a pair of escalators.
This is a hypothetical scenario.
Of course the DPRK will leave as it is! If it comes under control from some other forces like ROK or even China they might implement wheelchair accessibility features.
Amazing ill watch all your videos today. So much fakt based I like it! Greetings from Germany +Sub+Like
Awesome Pyongyang Metro using West Berlin trains . the new trains look like Beijing Metro trains
It's sad their metro only contemplates Pyongyang. A extension for others cities would help integrating more north koreans and also would help growing tourism intercourse... (Kinda tiring their focus being always on Pyongyang)
Pyongyang has better metro than nearest metropolis from my town...
Bro you missed the closed station in front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. Maybe you could address that in a later video?
woo another Benjamin Watson video!! thanks for uploading information about the DPRK. I have a suggestion for a video topic on something I'm curious about: their election process. I know you covered it briefly in your video about the Supreme People's Assembly, but I still have questions.
Is the ballot a simple yes/no for the party's chosen candidate?
What happens if >50% choose no?
How often does a candidate receive >50% no?
Are the ballots anonymous?
Is access to voting stations easy for people living in remote areas?
How are the districts divided up?
Since the number of representatives per district is only 1, is there controversy over the fact that the people in less populated districts will be over-represented, and the people in more populated areas are under-represented?
Can elected representatives be recalled and replaced easily?
How often does a recall happen?
Is there a new vote to replace them?
Is there a vote to initiate a recall, so that the people can say they do not like their candidate? Or do the other representatives have sole power over recalls?
Thanks! A lot of this information isnât very clear so, Iâll do my best;
The ballots are anonymous. The candidates for each district are selected by the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland which is made up of the WPK, Chondoists, SDP and a mixture of independents and Chongryon representatives. In terms of how the system is designed and planned out, I donât know any details about that.
I believe if 50% vote no, an alternate candidate is fielded in a secondary election
Very very interesting and inspiring beautiful amazing place.
Great.
Lovely!
Enlightening presentation, thank you. I expect that the rationale for constructing the metro lines so deep, is to allow for increasing metro development ramifying at subsequently higher levels. Also a secure safe haven in case of enemy attack. I have to ask two questions: 1) how widely is English spoken; 2) what foreign currency is acceptable for exchange to enjoy a visit to DPRK?
English isn't spoken especially widely, but that's more og a general trend around E.Asia. That being said, it is regularly taught, but not the extent that european countries might learn english. Secondly, with the exception of places like the Kwangbok Supermarket where foreigners can exchange their currency for Korean Won to spend only in that shop, foreigners can spend US Dollars, Chinese RMB or Euros.
Thereâs one station on the Hyoksin Line that has been closed since Kim Il-Sungâs death in 1994 although a short tramway was built above parallel to it
very nice to know
Love it
Looks much more decent than most metro networks around the world laden with invasive and vulgar advertisements
I'm surprised that despite having only two lines they couldn't make a transfer station between them. I wonder what the reasoning was that lead to that decision.
Also that effect with the "22.5km" text was great. Was there a special tool for it or did you mask out all the peoples' legs by hand?
This series of videos is amazing. How did you get all of this footage?!
Up until covid, I worked for Koryo Tours :) - Fingers crossed post-covid I can get some other DPRK projects off the ground!
@@DPRKExplained wow. How many times have you been? Do they let you film freely?
I love how objective and unbiased this video is â„ïž
Tee Hee
I love their underground stations
So Nice,I would love to take some pictures there?
Are there any planned expansions of the metro?
btw as a person who can understand Chinese I can easily deduce the station namesâ meanings without the English translation
Hey! Great video - Quick question, would you be able to re-upload the Pyongyang Minecraft map you did? All links are dead. I want to play with a few friends on that map but we can't :(
Thank you!
Hi, sorry, that map is entirely lost to history. I've replied to a lot of comments on that video. Unfortunately, the Dropbox/Mediafire links went down and since I made it back when I was 15 I don't have the save file anywhere.
Absolutely wonderful videos, you should make some on Cuba and Russia))
I live in Berlin and when I was a child I took the same metros as North Koreans now.
Awsome Video, you taught me more than my Guides. (No Disrespect To them)
Quite good.
The metro system has not been expanded apparently, unlike the systems in Moscow, St Petersburg etc.
Yet the other side of the min river would seem to also benefit from the metro.
Any sense of future construction?
A future video on art within the metro system would be good.
I assume that like the Moscow metro system the Pyongyang metro is richly appointed with art works.
good job
That's a much better transit infrastructure than what I have in my entire state
Pyongyang from videos gives me very 1990s Beijing vibes. Beijing is a far larger city though even back then. There were also only 2 metro lines at that time in Beijing iirc.
I love the music!! Does anyone have timestamps for the DPRK music used?
The 2 lines don't share any transit stations? That's strange. Why would they not integrate the lines?
I don't mean to imply anything negative, but do you live in NK/work in some way for the government? You seem to have a lot of footage and I thought such things were generally restricted without permission? Again, not trying to imply anything negative, I myself have long harboured hopes of visiting one day, and I heard all sorts of horror stories about China before I travelled there (I kept my passport in my pocket for the first two weeks worried a policeman would demand I show him my visa, until I saw one of them sleeping in the back of a truck and realised no one cared that much). Loving the videos, by the way.
Haha - no, I'm afraid I don't live there, I worked in DPRK tourism until COVID hit, based out of Beijing. Still working on DPRK projects, but this has been a fun way to pass the time and also educate people - it always surprises me that people in the industry never sat down to make things like this - imo it helps boost interest in tourism!
Die Metro Pjöngjang nutzt ehemalige ZĂŒge der Berliner U-Bahn. Die Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe verkauften Nordkorea im Jahr 1996 120 Doppeltriebwagen des Typs GI (âGiselaâ) aus dem ehemaligen Ost-Berlin und in den Jahren 1998 und 1999 105 Doppeltriebwagen des Typs D (âDoraâ) aus dem ehemaligen West-Berlin.
The Pyongyang Metro uses former trains of the Berlin U-Bahn. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe sold 120 double railcars of the type GI ("Gisela") from the former East Berlin to North Korea in 1996
Greetings from GFR(German Federal Republic)
Very interested in taking the train from the UK to Pyongyang, this is very informative for getting around the city with my guides.
I suppose that's possible now. Would take a while though.
do you need a separate ticket when you change subway lines or you can do it for free?
Where are the pictures and videos of the station itself? All I see are dots on the map and pictures of buildings and sculptures for that certain place.
Please could we have some alternative to Vietnamese captions. I gave up after ca 30 seconds as I had no clue as to what you were saying.
Added English :)
How did you get access to all this information?
I love metro stations
Those are old underground trains from West Berlin: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BVG_Class_D
I would like to go there
North Korea to me seems like a great sunny vacation spot, a place to escape off the grid.
Why did you not mention the permanently closed station?
I wonder why they named the Yeonggwang station as such when they could've just named it something like "íìì"
Are they considering an expansion or a new line ?
The focus at the moment seems to be on renovating the existing stations - although there's nothing to suggest they won't expand the network as the city expands
Thank you very much for that fast reply
go
The trains used to run in West-Berlin in the 1980's. They are being replaced by locally built trains....Chinese technology
So north korea has an ltc line and most cities in canada cant even fucking figure it out...
Faster and better than the metro in Boston
Music credit / description ?
KCTV Testcard music- couldn't give a specific title
Wow! Someone who actually talks about the real North Korea rather than relying on perception, bias and propaganda from enemy jealous states
Can you explain North Korea's political system, like people keep saying its a monarchy when its not, also how WPK officials are elected and how the constitution of DPRK works.
North Korea's political system if i am correct is more akin to China's political system, and the original soviet eastern block.
What about the êŽëȘ ì(kwangmyong station)?
Good question; I was going to include it but it must have slipped my mind.
Kwangmyong closed after the death of the President Kim Il Sung in 1994 due to its location just outside the Kumsusan Presidential Palace which later became the mausoleum.
It's presumably still sitting beneath the surface at Kumsusan, but it has not been operational since the 90s.
Today, there's a tram that runs between the city and Kumsusan providing a route for locals to get to the mausoleum.
Pretty bad light pollution with those skyscrapers so much for North Korea being jet black when seen from space!
Half an American cent a ride? Without a pass, a bus ride in the city Iâm in is 2 bucks.
gotta say, for a brit you've got decent pronunciation!! :D
How the hell do you know these much?
i am a trainfanâ€
Can you break a cent? I need to buy a train ticket
And still we see only the same 2 stations for years :D
We can actually now take a full 14 station tour running along both Hyoksin and Chollima lines. The Yonggwang and Puhung stations are just the most impressive
@@DPRKExplained But I would like to see these normal station as well, plans and photos of these 2 stations are available for years, thought I would see something more.
@@MarcinW76 Good advice, I'll try to bear that in mind when collecting footage in the future. There area few clips in there of Kaeson-yok in there since that was modernised recently, but I'll bear that in mind when I can get back to Korea.
@@MarcinW76 if you look up Young Pioneer Tours Pyongyang Metro they show footage of every station on the Metro
Why do we watch this đ
Very good
Considering the laws of North Korea, this video is so informative and non biased I think it could actually be broadcasted in North Korea