Pyongyang Electric Locomotive Factory

(full name, Kim Chong-tae Pyongyang Electric Locomotive Factory), a large transport machinery enterprise in the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea. It manufactures electric locomotives (about 30 per year), shunting locomotives, railroad passenger and freight cars, and subway trains. It also repairs rolling stock. Prior to the liberation of Korea from the oppression of Japanese colonialists the enterprise was a small facility engaged in routine repairs. The factory was badly damaged during the Fatherland Liberation War of 1950–53. After the war it was rebuilt and reequipped with the technical assistance of the Polish People’s Republic. Since 1959, when it was put into operation, the factory has produced locomotives and railroad cars. The first electric locomotive was manufactured in 1961. In 1969 it was renamed the Kim Chong-tae Electric Locomotive Factory. The factory was awarded the honorary Kim II-sung Order in 1972.