North Korea's tall, attractive women have special roadside role

Directing traffic on the streets of the North Korean capital is a special job. Photo / Getty Images

The most attractive women in North Korea are hand-picked for roles in traffic control.

Traffic girls are perhaps the most iconic symbols of Pyongyang, according to the Daily Mail.

As well as directing vehicles through the capital, the traffic girls salute to passing military and government officials.

The women have their own website, which features a "Pyongyang Traffic Girl Of The Month", a game and a forum where fans can write the girls messages.

The traffic girl figure has been used on brochures, stamps and billboards. Traffic girl dolls have even been produced as toys for children.

Traffic girls are also awarded the country's highest honours. A 22-year-old woman named Ri Kyong Sim was awarded the "Hero of the Republic", for "helping traffic safety in the city".