Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about different car brands? | NK News
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September 28, 2026Sep 28, 2026

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Ask A North Korean

Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans think about different car brands?

Defector from an elite family explains the DPRK’s love of foreign cars, why so many drive wood-powered vehicles and more

“Ask a North Korean” is an NK News series featuring interviews with and columns by North Korean defectors, most of whom left the DPRK within the last few years.

Readers may submit their questions for defectors by emailing [email protected] and including their first name and city of residence.

Today’s question is the second in a two-part series about driving and car culture in North Korea.

Hyun-seung Lee — who comes from an elite North Korean family and defected in 2014 — spoke with NK News about the most popular car brands in the country, the use of wood-powered vehicles and