For subscribers

Inside The Other ‘Korea’

Four-lane roads. Lexus on the streets. A modern eye centre inspired by Singapore's own. The Straits Times got a glimpse of Pyongyang, the public face North Korea wants the world to see. Associate editor Rahul Pathak and photojournalist Desmond Foo report.

Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments

North Korea dresses up its scars in elegant clothing.
A visitor to Pyongyang would see smooth, wide roads – some run four lanes in each direction – with trams and Lexus cars and a string of new taxis that charge US$1 (S$1.36) for every 2km. These are different from the red taxis at hospitals that ferry expectant mothers for free.