North Korea has introduced an unusual requirement for Russian motorists: before entering any large populated area, the car must be spotlessly clean. Caring for documents and the serviceability of the car is now complemented by mandatory body washing. Orientalist Andrei Lankov reports this on his Telegram channel.
This rule, which previously applied only to Pyongyang, has now been extended to all provincial centers of the country. Violators who decide to enter the city with a dirty car face a serious fine.
The reason for tightening control was the increase in the number of personal cars, which stand out against the background of state transport. This, in turn, stimulated the development of related services. Following gas stations, specialized car washes began to appear in the country.
However, due to the lack of equipped stations, the business adapted. On the outskirts of cities, where it is easier to solve the issue of water flow, enterprising North Koreans are organizing spontaneous points. They rent plots and employ local residents, including from socially vulnerable sections of the population.
The service has become not only mandatory, but also paid. For example, in the city of Hamhung, the cost of washing a car ranges from 20 to 60 Chinese yuan (approximately 220−670 rubles at the current exchange rate). The price depends on the size of the machine and the degree of contamination. It is noteworthy that payments are made in yuan, which over the past 10-15 years has become the main means of payment in the DPRK.
Previously, they told us where to complain if there is no required sign on the road.
