Skip to main content

North Korea astounds transport sector with road development plan

North Korea claims that it is establishing a strategic plan that will lift the country's struggling economy into prosperity as early as 2012. According to a missive from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a 10 year economic plan has been unveiled that will see a total of US$100 billion being invested by the nation in 12 strategic sectors.
February 10, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSNorth Korea claims that it is establishing a strategic plan that will lift the country's struggling economy into prosperity as early as 2012. According to a missive from the 5710 Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a 10 year economic plan has been unveiled that will see a total of US$100 billion being invested by the nation in 12 strategic sectors. It will also introduce the State General Bureau for Economic Development to deploy and oversee the plan. A key facet of the plan is for the construction of some 3,000km of roads. Exactly what will be driven on these new roads is as yet unclear. The country's ruling military elite are amongst the small minority of people who are in a position to own personal vehicles. Other than that, North Korea's military is the country's largest user of vehicles. The country also suffers from massive fuel shortages (of all types of fossil fuels) that result in whole areas of its national grid being closed down to conserve power, in addition to hindering vehicle transportation. It would seem logical that any new highways would therefore have to be designed around using bicycles as transportation, given that these do not rely on fuel for motive power.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Innovations in earthmoving machines
    March 16, 2012
    The earthmoving machine market is seeing major innovations for 2012 - Mike Woof reports. The early part of 2012 is seeing a whole array of new earthmoving machines come to market from a vast range of manufacturers. Companies from China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Turkey and the USA will all be unveiling new earthmoving equipment at the upcoming Intermat exhibition, with innovative emission compliant engine and cooling technology.
  • Slurry paving on South American roads
    February 28, 2012
    Colombia's rapidly improving highway network is making a major boost to the country's economy. Though a national roads plan had been in place since the last century, road building and pavement maintenance only became a priority in 2000 when the current administration headed by President Álvaro Uribe Vélez came to power.
  • Mexico has plans for massive infrastructure investment
    July 19, 2013
    Mexico’s Government has plans for a massive programme of infrastructure improvements across the country. In all some US$314 billion will be invested in infrastructure, of which $47 billion will be targeted at improving the country’s transportation network. Mexico’s national transport and communications ministry, SCT, will manage the projects which include works for highways and airports. The plans are expected to include a combination of private and public funding sources, although further details have yet
  • Improving safety for cyclists
    November 29, 2013
    New systems in development for protecting vulnerable road users - Mike Woof writes In many European countries the number of people using bicycles for commuting are increasing. This is being actively encouraged by city authorities as it offers an effective way to reduce traffic congestion, lower exhaust emissions and also improve public health. The Netherlands and Denmark have long had high percentages of commuters opting to use bicycles and other European countries are looking to capitalise on the experienc