Discover North Korea’s Unique Subway System: The World’s Only Ad-Free Underground Experience
My 2017 journey to North Korea offered a fascinating glimpse into daily life through the lens of Pyongyang’s Metro system. With only two subway lines, this underground network presented a striking contrast to bustling metro systems elsewhere. While I spotted a handful of young commuters glancing at their phones, most passengers sat quietly without digital distractions.
The stations themselves were devoid of commercial advertisements, instead showcasing grand murals depicting sweeping landscapes and patriotic portraits. Inside the aging train cars, framed portraits of North Korean leaders watched over passengers like silent guardians. The atmosphere felt more like a moving museum than a typical urban transit system.
Interestingly, I’ve heard the metro has since modernized with new train cars – though I wonder if the distinctive character of this unique underground world has changed. My photos from that trip remain a vivid reminder of a transportation system unlike any other I’ve encountered in my travels.
