TRC defends 'North Korean' station master uniforms

Staff writer

Taiwan Railway Corp (TRC) on Wednesday defended its new station master uniforms as based on those worn by Japan Railways (JR) staff, amid criticism that the design looks like the North Korean military uniform.

The newly corporatized TRC on Monday unveiled new formal uniforms for station masters at the Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien railway stations.

However, the gray color ignited some controversy, with commentators saying it looks similar to those worn by the North Korean military.

It is the first time the railway has used gray in a uniform, as blue is the standard choice for railways staff.

The TRC on Wednesday defended the design, saying it was based on those worn by staff on the JR East and other Japanese railways.

It is also markedly different from the Mao suit and cap worn by the North Korean military, it added.

The double-breasted suit jacket with gold buttons and trim is a usual design, while the embroidered golden tassel on the cap is honorary for the heads of the nation’s largest stations, it said.

The uniforms would only be used on Lunar New Year and other major celebrations, while the regular navy blue uniform would be worn at other times, TRC chairman Du Wei (杜微) said.

New uniforms for regular railway staff are still being designed, and would likely be released next year, he said, adding that they would likely not use gray to differentiate from the station master uniforms.