The Pyongyang Metro is a metro system in Pyongyang, North Korea consisting of two lines.
Construction of the metro network started in 1968. A major accident happened during the construction of a tunnel under the Taesong river. Some sources say at least 100 workers died in the accident. This particular piece of tunnel was never completed; the metro network is now completely located on the western side of the river.
Network
The network consists of two lines:
- Chollima line, named after a very fast horse from Korean mythology. Length: +/- 12 km. Construction started in 1968 and the line was opened in 1971.
- Hyoksin line. Length: +/- 10 km. Revenue service started in 1975.
The stations' names do not refer to the locations of the stations. Instead, stations are named after themes from North Korea's revolution.
The network is completely underground. The design of the network was based on metro networks in other in communist countries, in particular the Moscow Metro. Both networks share many characteristics, like the great depth of the lines and the large distance between stations. Another common feature is the socialist realist art that can be found in the stations.
In times of war, the metro stations can serve as bomb shelters. For this purpose the stations are fitted with large steel doors. Some sources claim that large military installations are connected to the stations, and that has been proven through the now-closed Kwangmyong station, where the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung exists.
Operation
The metro was designed to operate every few minutes. During the rush hours, the trains can operate at an interval of minimum 2 minutes. However, the current state of operation is not clear because of the energy crisis in the country. Because of this, the trains operate at an interval of seven minutes. Some sources say the metro only operates during rush hours.
Rolling stock
When operation of the metro started in the seventies, newly-built rolling stock was used. Although North-Korea insists it was built in Korea, it is the four car formations that were built in China by Changchun Car Company in 1972, and they were known as DK4. In 1998 these trainsets were sold to the Beijing Metro where they now serve in three car formations on line 13.
Since 1998 the Pyongyang metro uses former German rolling stock from the Berlin U-Bahn. There are two different types of rolling stock:
- GI ("Gisela"), former East Berlin stock, built between 1978 and 1982.
- D ("Dora"), former West Berlin stock, built between 1957 and 1965.
The trainsets received a new red and cream livery in Pyongyang. All advertising was removed and replaced by portraits of the leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Recent travellers have only seen type D in operation. It is not known if type GI is still running.
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