The Han Chinese living scattered throughout North Korea have, for most part, retained their Chinese heritage and have even influenced Korean culture. After World War II, North Korea changed from an agricultural to an industrial nation. This was due primarily to the plentiful supply of electric power in the area. At that time, many of the Han Chinese in North Korea migrated into the industrial cities. Today, the production of iron and steel, industrial and agricultural machinery, and textiles, are the three most important regional industries.
Railroads are an important means of transportation between cities in North Korea.
Few automobiles are available, so highway transportation is not important. The roads that do exist are not yet paved. Walking and bicycling are by far the main methods of transportation. In 1950, a Mandarin law was passed stating that Han Chinese marriages were no longer to be arranged. It also said that a bride-price was no longer mandatory and that women were permitted to file for divorce.