North Korea and the Western world aren’t pals. Sanctions limit the kind of items the Asian nation can get from the surface world. But that does not preserve every thing out. A video revealed to YouTube earlier this month by a former North Korean exhibits a number of automobiles that should not be there, making for a deeply fascinating have a look at the automobile scene within the dictator-led nation.

The video shot from a bicycle because it rides across the capital metropolis of Pyongyang. Shooting video like a TikTook influencer would not have gone over effectively with the federal government, so do not anticipate glorious manufacturing high quality. Nevertheless, the recording exhibits off plenty of fashions offered by automakers that haven’t any official presence within the nation.

Many of North Korea’s imported autos arrive through dubious channels, usually by way of China and different pleasant nations. Not many individuals personal automobiles in North Korea, with strolling and bicycling being most residents’ major modes of transportation. Vehicle possession is commonly reserved for prestigious members of society.

However, the video exhibits a couple of luxurious autos cruising the broad, Brutalist streets. There are a number of older Mercedes-Benz automobiles, together with W123- and W124-generation automobiles. Toyota is one other fashionable model, with a first-generation Highlander highlighted early within the video. A 3rd-generation Lexus LX exhibits up towards the top simply earlier than what seemed like a US-market Audi Q7 cruises previous the digital camera.

It’s unclear when Jaka Parker, the video’s authentic writer, captured this footage. It seems to have been shot in secret, and it is possible a couple of years outdated. Still, it is good to know there are car-spotting alternatives in a spot as walled-off as North Korea.