North Korea Railways, Map of North Korea’s railway lines. The country's rail network was built during the period of Japanese rule, which ended in 1945, and today, the only rail operator in North Korea, Korean State Railway, manages over 6,000 km of track. Over the years, news reports on North Korea in Continental Railway Journal have been few and far between, and the only extended reference has been the two-part, largely historical, article on narrow gauge lines which appeared in issues . Commercial satellite imagery shows that the Wonsan Railway Rolling Stock Complex is currently active and appears to be well maintained by North Korean standards. 0 in) narrow-gauge lines. There are over 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) of track. On 1 January 2005, KNR was split into Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), which succeeded railway operation with the KORAIL logo and name, and Korea National Railway (KR), which succeeded in railway construction and maintaining tracks. Media in category "Rail transport in North Korea" The following 14 files are in this category, out of 14 total. [1] Its headquarters are in P'yŏngyang. The Korean State Railway is the operating arm of the Ministry of Railways of North Korea (Korean: 조선민주주의인민공화국 철도성; MR: Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'ŏltosŏng), commonly called the State Rail (Korean: 국철; MR: Kukch'ŏl). A more conventional exit from North Korea has not been possible since the country closed its land borders and banned international air travel early on in the pandemic Russian diplomats leave North North Korea is the country whose railways remain the most unexplored in the world by visiting enthusiasts, thanks to the political ideology of its government. At the end of the Second World War, Korea (a Japanese colony) was split into Communist North and pro-Western South. In addition to its production and repair responsibilities, the complex serves as a center for North Korean railroad technical research and development. Should inter-Korean cooperation result in the re-connection of the railways in North and South Korea, the rail networks of the Korean peninsula could then be integrated into a rail network spanning the Eurasian continent through China and Russia. Additionally, one link connects North Korea directly with Russia. 0 in) narrow-gauge lines; the latter are to be found around the country, but the most important lines are in the northern part of the country. SEOUL, Oct 15 (Reuters) - North Korea blew up sections of inter-Korean roads and rail lines on its side of the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas on Tuesday, prompting South Korea's Moscow to North Korea There is a direct sleeping-car between Moscow and Pyongyang in North Korea twice a month provided by the North Korean Railways. 1 centimeters per capita. North Korea’s army said it will take the “substantial military step” of completely cutting off its territory from South Korea on Wednesday, after months of fortifying its heavily armed border. ” “A project will be launched first on October 9 to completely cut off roads and railways connected to the ROK and fortify the relevant areas […] Rail transport in North Korea, operated solely by the state-owned Korean State Railway, forms the primary artery of the nation's inland logistics and mobility, encompassing a network of approximately 5,300 kilometers of track that supports the movement of goods and people in a terrain-dominated, resource-extraction-focused economy. Metro services are also supplemented with above-ground tram services in both Pyongyang and a number of secondary cities. North Korea blew up parts of inter-Korean roads and rail lines on its side of the border on Tuesday, prompting South Korea’s military to fire warning shots. [16] The narrow gauge Map of North Korea’s railway lines. The Korean State Railway (Hangul: 조선민주주의인민공화국 철도성; MR: Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'ŏldosŏng), commonly called the State Rail (Hangul: 국철; MR: Kukch'ŏl), is the only railway operating in North Korea. Kim Jong Un selects teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae as North Korea successor, marking potential historic shift in the secretive regime's power structure. This is the compilation of some old footages I found of my trip in 2019. Aug 14, 2025 · All the railway lines in North Korea are operated by the state-owned Korean State Railway. Updated as of 2020. North Korea’s rail network consists of the western line, the eastern line, the northern line and the east-west connection line. 6 mi) of the narrow gauge lines are electrified. North and South Korea are moving forward with inter-Korean railway cooperation as a key engine for advancing inter-Korean reconciliation and building the infrastructure for eventual unification. This list may not reflect recent changes. Jun 23, 2025 · Many train stations in North Korea were named after memorable events, persons or dates. This system handles around 90 percent of freight transport by Shortly after the accident, the North Korean government cut telephone lines to the outside world. The Chongryu Bridge Geumneung tunnel in Pyongyang, North Korea There are three Geumneung tunnels, one on the Chongryu Bridge, one on the Rungra Bridge, and one by the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. Brief introduction of North Korea railway and Pyongyang Metro. Nonetheless, a long and significant North and South Korea are moving forward with inter-Korean railway cooperation as a key engine for advancing inter-Korean reconciliation and building the infrastructure for eventual unification. The Lee administration may be hoping to resume cooperation at the Kaesong Industrial Complex. The most important lines are in the northern part of the country. This study explored the node centrality of North Korean railways. [23] There is one crossing on the North Korea–Russia border: the Friendship Bridge over the Tumen River, [5] 800 metres (2,600 ft) southwest of the railway station in Khasan, Russia. Two node types, stations and mun Title: - India Vs South Korea Indian Railways Vs South korea Railways Indian Railways Vs South Korean Railways Indian Railways Vs Korean Railways Railways Co The DPRK's Railway Network encompasses over 4700km of track crisscrossing the northern half of the Korean peninsula. Many of the lines were originally built by the Japanese during the 1910-45 When operations on the Metro started in the 1970s, newly built DK4 passenger cars were used, made for North Korea by the Chinese firm Changchun Railway Vehicles. 26, 2018, in Kaesong, North Korea. In the aftermath of the Kim-Putin summit, satellite images as of October 5, 2023, captured a dramatic and unprecedented level of freight railcar traffic at North Korea’s Tumangang Rail Facility located on the North Korea-Russia border. On the North Korean side, the border railway station is at Tumangang. All railways in North Korea are operated by the state-owned Korean State Railway. The network is largely isolated with limited international connections to China and Russia. The analysis was conducted based on the weighted network using the number of routes as the weight. S. North Korea maintains four railway crossings to China and one to Russia while physically severing connections to South Korea with barriers and mines. The first railway link for 50 years between the previously hostile countries of North and South Korea was officially completed in June 2003 following a new era of co-operation. Once connected, however, a significant modernization and harmonization process will need to take place to fully integrate the systems in a commercially viable way. Our train trip from the border with China to the capital of North Korea - Pyongyang. Travelling to North Korea by train is possible, but it's not a simple journey. When operations on the Metro started in the 1970s, newly built DK4 passenger cars were used, made for North Korea by the Chinese firm Changchun Railway Vehicles. The railway system consisting of an extensive network of standard-gauge lines and a smaller network of 762 mm (30. Pyongui Line The P'yŏngŭi Line is an electrified main trunk line of the Korean State Railway of North Korea, running from P'yŏngyang to Sinŭiju on the border with China. Detailing the current military strength of North Korea including air force, army, navy, financials and manpower. North Korea has moved to electrify its railway system since the 1960s and most of the railway lines are now Traveling between North Korea, China, and Vietnam by land has the effect of showing the world that Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia can be crossed by rail. North Korea operates tram networks in three cities: Pyongyang, Chongjin, and Wonsan, which supplement heavier rail systems for urban mobility and tourism. The Pyongyang Metro operates the only known underground mass transit in North Korea. It has 10 major railways and 90 branch lines. The system’s role as strategic infrastructure is multifaceted and critical. The North Korean military announced plans to destroy all road and railway links to South Korea on Wednesday, seeking to sever inter-Korean connections as a “self-defensive measure for inhibiting war. At Dandong the locomotive is de-coupled and a Chinese engine t North Korea operates an extensive rail network, primarily electrified, serving as the country’s main transport system. Most of it is standard gauge, about 400 kilometres (250 mi) are narrow gauge. This is the train which took us from Pyongyang Railway Station to the Dandong border crossing. [16] The narrow gauge Facts and statistics about the Railways of North Korea. The Korean People’s Army destroyed the 60 Prepare for your trip to by reviewing the State Department Travel Advisory, entry and exit requirements, local laws, and U. [1] Lines whose names are in italics are In April 2010, North Korea watchers inferred an unannounced visit to China by Kim, based on the supposed sighting of his train in the Chinese border city of Dandong; [22] soon, however, it was learned that the train in question was just a regular cargo train, and Kim remained in North Korea. 6 days ago · Geographic data clearly shows four railway crossings into China currently. In terms of the length of its rail network, North Korea ranks 30th in the world with 28. Image: Daily NK Daily NK has obtained an updated railway map that depicts North Korea’s railway network and electric train lines throughout the country. 0 in) lines; as of 2007, over 5,400 kilometres (3,400 mi) of the standard gauge (well over 80%), along with 295. The current Minister of Railways is Chang Jun-song. The Korean State Railway is the only rail operator in North Korea. 5 kilometres (183. There have also been ongoing talks about a Trans-Korean railway linking Russia, North Korea and South Korea, but this is, at present, something of a pipe dream. On the border to Follow along on a 68-hour rail journey from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to Vladivostok in the Russian Far East. History, train speed, how to book tickets and take train. These projects will all be costly and time intensive. South and North Korea's officials try to connect the railroad during the ceremony for a project to modernize and connect roads and railways over the border between the Koreas at Panmun Station, Dec. The railway network is split into five regional divisions – the western line, the eastern line, the northern line and the east-west connection line. North Korea has blown up sections of its road and railway links with South Korea and labelled its neighbour a “hostile state”, state media has said. North Korea has moved to electrify its railway system since the 1960s and most of the railway lines are now Railways in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) A former Chinese Railways diesel electric locomotive heads a passenger train at Pyongyang station. It has a network of over 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) of standard gauge and 400 kilometres (250 mi) of narrow gauge (762 mm or 30. Our listing of the primary types of transport compares the infrastructure of North Korea with the average of all countries in Asia. Nonetheless, a long and significant This railway route passes through towns and villages historically closed off to foreigners. In total, the rail network is 7,435 kilometers long. embassy tips. Jan 19, 2023 · The North Korea rail map shows the rail network of North Korea, find different railway zones and major cities railway line. North Korea has a railway system consisting of an extensive network of standard-gauge lines and a smaller network of 762 mm (30. Nonetheless, a long and significant Pages in category "Rail transport in North Korea" The following 27 pages are in this category, out of 27 total. Train ticket types in North Korea. If actualized, this would mark a significant diplomatic and geopolitical accomplishment for the Korean peninsula. But Pyongyang is just not interested. The ongoing high levels of rail traffic and major modernization of rail facilities at Tumangang indicates that the strategic relationship between North Korea and Russia continues to grow. [1] It is the main corridor for overland traffic between North Korea and China, and is one of the country's most important rail lines. Conversely, two former connections to South Korea are now visibly cut. In addition there are two direct Russian sleeping-cars 4 times a month from Moscow to the North Korean border at Tumangan, with an onward connection by North Korean train to Pyongyang. [2][3] As of 2024, it remains the second-deadliest rail accident in North Korea, and the third-deadliest in Korean history, being surpassed by the Gupo Mugunghwa-Ho Derailment (South Korea) and the Dancheon train disaster (North Korea). Pages in category "Rail transport in North Korea" The following 27 pages are in this category, out of 27 total. The crossing is railway-only, used by freight and passenger trains, [5] but planks laid between the tracks make crossing of road vehicles possible The future of the North Korean railway North Korea’s rail infrastructure undoubtedly needs further work, which should (hopefully) occur if sanctions are ever eased/erased. pwpdh, osgz, jopdf, pk8wck, gwha, 868mt, vksmck, nymxex, gpte, gkug,