Pyongyang: The subway system in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang has undergone a major facelift in recent years to add modern conveniences, a pro-North Korea media outlet reported Monday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean newspaper based in Japan, noted that "The Pyongyang subway system is embracing new changes from the 2010s through the 2020s." Remodeling was recently completed at several metro stations, including the Moranbong, Jonu, and Pulgunbyol stations.
The Choson Sinbo highlighted the stark transformation of the subway system, showcasing images of high-domed ceilings and bright lamps that illuminate the interiors. These new additions contrast sharply with a 1992 Yonhap News Agency photo, which depicted the system as a dark underground facility lacking benches and electronic information boards. The updated images now display subway platforms equipped with electronic information boards and TV monitors, with passengers engaging with newspapers or smartphones on the brightly lit platforms.
The Pyongyang subway service was initially launched in 1973, with national founder and then leader Kim Il-sung inaugurating the first stage at Bonghwa Station. By 1987, through three additional stages, the construction of the Pyongyang subway lines was completed, establishing an underground network as deep as 150 meters designed to serve as an emergency shelter resistant to nuclear attacks.
In 2015, incumbent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the subway system and provided detailed instructions to enhance the infrastructure by raising ceilings, installing benches, and incorporating modern conveniences such as TVs and automated ticket barriers.
The renovated Pyongyang subway system has also attracted international attention. Vitaly Shulika, Russia's deputy internal affairs minister, included it in his itinerary during a visit to North Korea with a ministry delegation last month. Additionally, Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun toured Puhung Station in February, expressing a desire for many Chinese travelers to visit and experience the Pyongyang subway system, fostering friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.