Regarding car ownership, it's rising dramatically even in the last year. At one point it was far more limited, but the DPRK's economy is booming and trade with China is rising.

As for apartments, I don't doubt that better apartments are made available to more critical workers and party members, this is similar to the USSR. The DPRK is constantly building new apartments, and as this happens the range with which people can get apartments widens.

As for China's rural conditions, I'm well aware of the urban/rural gap, and this is thankfully something the CPC is focusing on improving.