Take a Ride on the Mysterious Pyongyang Metro in North Korea

The Pyongyang Metro is the deepest in the world, buried 100 meters below the surface, which means it conveniently doubles as a nuclear bunker. It mostly operates on the west bank of Pyongyang with 17 stops on two lines. It was first opened in 1973, and the last station was added to line 1 in 1987. Before 2010 tourists were only allowed to travel between Puhŭng Station and Yŏnggwang Station, sparking a conspiracy theory that the two stations comprised the entire system. Here’s a rare glance into the underground life of the North Korean capital.

Pyongyang Metro — Entering the Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Kristoferb

Staff in a military-style uniform. Image credit: Laika ac

Pyongyang Metro — Going down the escalator. Image credit: Topolinochamp

Pyongyang Metro — Escalator guard.

Pyongyang Metro — Image credit: Roman Bansen

Pyongyang Metro — Former East German trains are used throughout the Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Shôn Ellerton

Pyongyang Metro — Mosaic in Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: TBC

Pyongyang Metro — North Koreans riding the Pyongyang Metro in 2012. The portraits above the door are of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Image credit: Nicor

Pyongyang Metro — Sitting in the dark. Image credit: Uri Tours

Pyongyang Metro — Image credit: Gilad Rom

Pyongyang Metro — Mosaic in Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Uri Tours

Pyongyang Metro — Puhŭng Station. Image credit: Topolinochamp

Pyongyang Metro — Public newspaper reading stand in Pyongyang metro. Image credit: Roman Bansen

Pyongyang Metro — A statue of Kim Il-sung at Kaesŏn Station. Image credit: Clay Gilliland

Pyongyang Metro — Kaeson station. Image credit: Kounosu

Pyongyang Metro — Rush hour in Pyongyang Metro. Image credit: Gilad Rom

Pyongyang Metro — Chandelier at Yŏnggwang Station. Image credit: Topolinochamp

Ponghwa Station. Pyongyang Metro, North Korea — Ponghwa Station. Image credit: (stephan)

Pyongyang Metro, North Korea — Building of Pulgunbyol station. Image credit: Kounosu

Pyongyang Metro, North Korea — Pyongyang Metro map at Kaesŏn Station. Image credit: Topolinochamp

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