North Korean Donju Parents Gifting Vehicles To Kids, Youth Using Them As Taxi And Freighters

A new income trend is quietly emerging in North Korea, where young individuals from affluent families are turning vehicle ownership into a steady business opportunity, even if they don't know how to drive. According to Daily NK, several reports from inside North Korea suggest that people in their 20s and 30s, especially those backed by wealthy "donju" parents, are purchasing cars, vans, and trucks to run as commercial assets. Instead of driving themselves, they hire skilled drivers and earn money through passenger fares or freight services.

In one example cited by Daily NK, a young woman in her 20s from Hyesan reportedly convinced her parents to buy her a van after months of insistence. Since she lacked a license, she employed a driver on a fixed salary while personally managing fare collection as a conductor in the van. According to Daily NK sources, "she pays the driver a fixed wage and rides along to collect fares and manage earnings."

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Taxi operations in North Korea are said to generate around 6,000 Chinese yuan per month (nearly Rs 82,000), making them a reliable income stream. Fares are modest, but overcrowding and frequent trips help maximize returns.

This trend is not just limited to passenger transport in North Korea. According to the report, a man in his 30s from Hamhung invested in a 10-ton truck with family support and entered the logistics business. While he holds a license, he hired an experienced driver to operate the vehicle, focusing instead on managing cargo routes and profits.

Experts tracking economic shifts in North Korea see this as part of a broader move toward market-driven thinking. According to Daily NK, relaxed restrictions on private vehicle ownership have transformed cars into income-generating assets rather than luxury items.

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However, this shift is also widening inequality in North Korea. Daily NK reports that vehicles can cost between 70,000 and 150,000 yuan, making them inaccessible for lower-income households. As one source told Daily NK, "the rich keep getting richer, while others struggle to survive."

Can You Do This In India?

Simply putting it together, the answer is No. While North Korean youngsters are able to use their vehicles with private ownership for commercial purposes, Indian laws do not permit the act. Unlike North Korea, India balances this ambition with regulation, fair access to credit, and worker protection.