Korean State Railway

The Korean State Railway (Hangul: 조선민주주의인민공화국 철도성; MR: Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk Ch'ŏldosŏng), commonly called the State Rail (Hangul: 국철; MR: Kukch'ŏl), is the only railway operating in North Korea. There are over 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) of track. Most of it is standard gauge, about 400 kilometres (250 mi) are narrow gauge. On the border to Russia, there are 54 kilometres (34 mi) which are also in Russian broad gauge. They are between Rajin and Kassan and continue to the Transsibirian Railway near Wladiwostok, which is about 300 kilometres (190 mi) away. About 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi) are electrified. The rail link to South Korea has been re-eastablished but it is rarely used. There is a rail link to China, between Sinŭiju and Dandong. Because few people can afford cars, rail is impoerrtant for pasenger transport in North Korea.