The Asian reporter., May 01, 2017, Page Page 3, Image 3

May 1, 2017
ASIA / PACIFIC
THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3
Pyongyang drivers scramble as gas stations limit services
GAS-STATION SCRAMBLE. Cars line up at a
gas station in Pyongyang, North Korea. Car users in
Pyongyang are scrambling to fill up their tanks as gas
stations limit services and close their gates amid con-
cerns of a shortage. There is still speculation about the
cause of the restrictions and how long they might last.
(AP Photo/Eric Talmadge, File)
By Eric Talmadge
The Associated Press
YONGYANG, North Korea — Car
users
in
Pyongyang
are
scrambling to fill up their tanks
because gas stations are limiting services
or even closing amid concerns of a
spreading shortage.
A sign outside one station in the North
Korean capital said sales were being
restricted to diplomats or vehicles used by
international organizations, while others
were closed or turning away local
residents. Lines at other stations were
much longer than usual and prices
appeared to be rising significantly.
There is still speculation about the cause
of the restrictions and how long they might
last.
North Korea relies heavily on China for
its fuel supply and Beijing has reportedly
been tightening its enforcement of
international sanctions aimed at getting
Pyongyang to abandon its development of
nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
The issue was raised at a regular
Chinese Foreign Ministry news conference
in Beijing after a Chinese media outlet,
Global Times, reported gas stations were
restricting service and charging higher
prices.
But spokesman Lu Kang gave an
ambiguous response when asked if China
was restricting fuel deliveries.
“As for what kind of policy China is
taking, I think you should listen to the
authoritative remarks or statements of the
Chinese government,” he said, without
elaborating on what those remarks or
statements are. “For the remarks made by
certain people or circulated online, it is up
to you if you want to take them as refer-
P
ences.”
One of China’s top North Korea scholars,
Kim Dong-jil, director of the Center for
Korean Peninsula Studies of Peking
University, said he had not heard of new
restrictions on fuel to pressure Pyongyang,
but said they are considered to be an
option.
China’s Ministry of Commerce had no
immediate comment.
Gasoline was selling for $1.25 per kilo-
gram at one station, up from the previous
70 to 80 cents. According to a sign outside a
station where ordinary North Korean
vehicles were being turned away, the
restrictions took effect April 19.
Gasoline is sold in North Korea by the
kilogram, roughly equivalent to a liter
(0.26 gallon).
When buying gas in North Korea,
customers usually first purchase coupons
at a cashier’s booth for the amount of fuel
The military, state ministries, and
priority projects have the best access.
Several chains of gas stations are operated
under different state-run enterprises —
for example, Air Koryo, the national
flagship airline, operates gas stations as
well.
Prices can vary from one station to
another.
Traffic in Pyongyang has gotten heavier
than in past years, when visitors were
often struck by the lack of cars on the
capital’s broad avenues.
The greater number of cars, including
swelling fleets of taxis, has been an
indication of greater economic activity, as
many are used for business purposes, such
as transporting people or goods.
Associated Press writer Christopher Bodeen
in Beijing contributed to this report.
they want. After filling up the tank,
leftover coupons can be used on later visits
until their expiration date. A common
amount for the coupons is 15 kilograms
(19.65 liters or 5.2 U.S. gallons).
Supply is controlled by the state.
q
China launches domestically made aircraft carrier
By Christopher Bodeen
The Associated Press
EIJING — China has launched its
first aircraft carrier built entirely
on its own in a demonstration of
the growing technical sophistication of its
defense industries.
State media reported the launch of the
50,000-ton carrier from a shipyard in the
northern port city of Dalian.
That’s the same city where the hull of
China’s first carrier, the Ukrainian-built
B
Liaoning,
underwent
extensive
refurbishing before being commissioned in
2012.
The new carrier will likely be formally
commissioned sometime before 2020
following the completion of sea trials and
the arrival of its full air complement.
Like the Liaoning, the new carrier is
based on the former Soviet Union’s
Kuznetsov class design, with a ski-jump-
style deck for taking off and a conventional
oil-fuelled steam turbine power plant.
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