Have you ever been to North Korea? Chances are most likely a big, whopping NO. However, there’s a reason for that, and it doesn’t involve an online college degree either. First of all, not many outsiders are allowed entry and moreover, you need a regulated visa and tons of cash. Furthermore you have probably heard that photography is highly restricted, especially for tourists. But when has that ever stopped people? We’ve dug up some staggering images that show just what life is like in North Korea, brace yourself. The differences are startling.
Wifi Blues
Let’s kick off with a humdinger. Contrary to popular belief, North Korea does indeed have computers. However, they don’t always have electricity to power up the computer(s). In fact, what you’re looking at is just a facade created by North Korean leaders in order to appear far better off than what is actual reality. Apparently a tourist visited a station where North Korean citizens were using computers, you know to prove that people do use computers, however this tourist probably wasn’t supposed to see the black, empty computer screen.
Wifi Blues
The Band
Ah yes, the Moranbong Band! While similar to K-Pop girl’s group, the Moranbong Band has one huge difference, all of its members are hand-picked by Kim Jong-Un. Their music style includes numerous styles including pop, rock, and fusion. Moreover, typically the girls exclusively perform for the regime, but there are times when they also perform in China.
The Band
Count The Ways
Not only are you getting a glimpse into just a handful of hotels that tourists are allowed to stay in while in North Korea, but it also has a working elevator. Although when you take a closer look, you notice that the fifth floor is missing. Turns out that floor five is off-limits to all tourists, but if you somehow manage to sneak a peek, you’ll only find propaganda posters.
Count The Ways
Just Outrageous
Ahem, we’d like to note that technically it is not illegal for a citizen to defect. On that note, it is however illegal to defect when you have not paid the fee. Yup, there’s a fee involved when one defects. That law was imposed by Kim Jong-Un, although he raised the price to $8,000. Yes, really. And when you consider that most citizen’s live in poverty, $8,000 is totally unrealistic.
Just Outrageous
Shopping List
So this is the Pyongyang supermarket but you wouldn’t know it at first glance. While the government claims to always fully stock food, more often than not, the supermarkets looks just like this.
Shopping List
Watchtower
As citizens’, you have to live with the reality that every single movement, action, and word spoken or unspoken is observed by the government. How? Well there are hidden cameras and microphones located in all of the homes, offices, parks, buses, and even cars. Moreover even the military watches over towns to ensure that absolutely everything is in line. And everyone.
Watchtower
Black Out
Electricity, you’d think is pretty normal, however it is actually a rare commodity in North Korea, even in its capital city, Pyongyang. How that is even feasible is beyond us.
Black Out
Tourist Entry Point
Yes, this is the entry point for tourists from China. At first glance, you may think it looks amazing, super clean and crowded a little bit. However, there are no locals at this station, only platform workers. Moreover, these platform workers work exceptionally hard to keep everything tidy and clean. That’s just a point we will continuously make, cause it’s all about appearances in North Korea.
Tourist Entry Point
Exit?
In order to prevent its citizens from fleeing, the government has indeed secured more than 1,500 miles of the North Korean coastline with electric fences. Dangerous? Yeah you could say that.
Exit?
“Guided” Tours
Whenever you head somewhere for vacation or business, chances are, you’re free to roam wherever you’d like! Although that’s not the case when it comes to North Korea. All tours must be, and are, organized by the state. For that reason most tourists only encounter people (citizens) that have been examined by the state. That’s right, they only want you speaking with people who won’t lie. Well, they will lie, but only because it is what is required of them.
Guided Tours
Cat Nap
On account of the government’s strict policies, one rule is exceptionally clear – you are not allowed to take any photos of the Army. Particularly if said solider is seen as “lazy”, like this guy for example, for has laid down for a nap.
Cat Nap
Tunnel Time
We’ve mentioned that Pyongyang is the capital city, but it also makes sense that its the largest city too. Pyongyang has a subway system, in fact it’s one of the deepest subways in the entire world, furthermore it doubles as a bomb shelter. Nonetheless you are not permitted to take photos of the tunnel, or even of yourself or passerby’s.
Tunnel Time
Scrub A Dub
When you’re not in the urban areas, don’t be surprised to see people bathing in the rivers and lakes. As not all of its citizens have access to clean and running water so they make do.
Scrub A Dub
The Black Market
It goes without saying but the government has 100% banned black markets. Nonetheless the citizens have opted to employ grey markets, which only sell small things like cigarettes or sweets. As a result though, no one really makes much money like this.
The Black Market
Not A Peep
Of course the capital city, Pyongyang, is a symbol of glory for North Korea. Which of course explains why all of the building exteriors are meticulously maintained. Thing is, if you look inside of these pretty buildings, you’ll often find them completely deserted. No one can afford to live there.
Not A Peep
Child Labor
Another common thing you’ll see, children working in the fields. Without regard to school, children are expected to help out and they do, by heading to farms and digging plants and vegetables. Do you think they would ever consider an online college degree? Who knows.
Child Labor
Magic School Bus
With almost little to no supervision, children walk to school on dirt roads. Plus schools are typically funded by the state as a majority of its citizens live in severe poverty.
Magic School Bus
Hard At Work, Or Hardly Working?
Soldiers in North Korea have multiple responsibilities, some of which include helping to maintain the cleanliness of the city and working on fields when farmers need it.
Hard At Work
Friends 4 Eva
Try to digest this tidbit, there is a plot to free North Korea. How? Oh by smuggling Friends episodes into the country. Activists truly believe that digital contraband and free data (like a hilarious Friends episode) is a totally effective tool to win against North Korea’s totalitarian regime.
Friends 4 Eva
Golden Throne
Rural households often have a bathroom just like this one. Furthermore the people who live in rural homes are chosen by the government. Yup, you have to apply to live in such an area.
Golden Throne
Work Life
You think your daily commute is a nightmare? Check this out. Buses such as this one are usually overflowing with people!
Work Life
Your Word for North Korea?
One word to sum up North Korea? Well, technically, two words – Neat Freak. Like we said, all of North Korea’s citizens constantly pitch in to keep everything absolutely clean, including the soldiers. Could you imagine that happening in London? Or New York City? Yeah, neither can we!
Your Word for North Korea?
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink
How someone managed to snap a photo such as this one is beyond us! Why? As we mentioned, photos of the North Korean Army are especially forbidden. So how in the world did someone manage a photo with hundreds of Army officials?
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink
Vroom
Today the use of cars is actually becoming more widespread, especially in the capital Pyongyang. Additional highways are even being built, but there’s a catch. Not many citizens have the money to purchase a car so the sight of a deserted street is quite common.
Vroom
Collecting Grass
Unfortunately there is an increase in the food shortage so many of the citizens are now surviving on many “wild foods.” Like grass, scraps, rats, birds, and even tree bark. The demand has increased so much that the North Korean government created a cookbook about the different kinds and best tasting grasses and leaves. Plus they note that consuming these wild foods is not bad for you, minus the poisonous ones of course.
Collecting Grass
Long Long Lines
As mentioned, many people don’t own cars so they rely on public transportation. Which is why lines such as this one, especially for a bus headed to Pyongyang, is extremely common.
Long Long Lines
The Gray City
Yup, that old Soviet style uniform of cement gray is the generally used architectural style in all of North Korea. According to the regime, everyone is equal so that means that all of the buildings are equal too. As a result of international penalties and low technical abilities, many buildings aren’t structurally sound, with plenty more completely empty inside.
The Gray City
Something More
Frowns and dissatisfaction is a pretty normal emotion for a North Korean citizen. As a matter of fact, most of the citizens are completely unhappy with their current situation, and we can hardly blame them.
Something More
Taxi!
Uhh, there are tons of taxis in North Korea, actually most of them are in Pyongyang. However if you’re lucky enough to own a taxi, chances are pretty slim to nab a fare as everyone is competing against one another. And more often than not, most citizens can’t afford a taxi so they either walk to take the bus.
Taxi!
When Nature Calls
Thing is, this man is taking a pretty serious risk by relieving himself right now. Especially when ‘Big Brother’ is everywhere. But when nature calls, there’s not much you can do.
When Nature Calls
More Roads, Less Cars
You’re looking at a railroad stop in a rural part of North Korea which is quite literally a “hole in the wall” place. As it is nothing more than just a dirt path leading to railroad tracks. There’s a reason for that, see, it’s difficult to get a traveling permit and there is little to no infrastructure for travel.
More Roads Less Cars
Propaganda
If you’re lucky enough to own your own radio or television, then you are required by law to keep either device on at all times. Doesn’t matter if it’s at your home or business. Of course most channels only play tons of propaganda fueled shows or news reports but if you don’t have it on at all time, there are serious consequences.
Propoganda
Ghost Town
So North Korea wants to appear full and alive when foreign satellites and spy planes take a peek. Which is why the Hermit Kingdom’s government will occasionally move an entire population of a nearby town and relocate all of them to a different city. Just by moving an entire town from one to another, helps to make it appear more “populated” to outside observers. Crazy.
Ghost Town
The Power Of The Military
We’ll say it again, the military has a lot of power. Not only that but they’re absolutely everywhere. Office buildings, farms, houses, and the list goes on. Their main job is to keep the population in line.
Power
Join The Army
Be that as it may, if you’re lucky enough to become an officer in the Army, well you’ve got it made. Why? Your salary is increased (thought not by much but something is better than nothing) so your family can afford to live a decent life.
Join The Army
Lights, Camera, Action
Looks normal for a train station, right? Well, yes, except for one thing. It’s all fake. While this is a real station, the people here are just actors. When this particular photo had been snapped, the trains were not running.
Lights Camera Action
Kimjongilia Festival
Kimjongilia is a flower named after the late North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il. Japanese botanist, Kamo Mototeru, cultivated the flower to represent the friendship between Japan and North Korea. Furthermore, it is designed to bloom every single year on Kim Jong-il’s birthday, February 16. Neat.
Kimjongilia Festival
Virtual Interactions
North Koreans have very little interactions with other nationalities and races, especially face to face. Most of what they know is through restricted virtual interactions.
Virutal Interactions
Slim Pickins’
Umm, yes, even the hairstyles that you can sport are regulated by the government. Just look at the photo because this is all you’re allowed.
Slim Pickins’
Farm Life
Now because North Korea has cut itself off from many countries, it is quite limited as to which imported goods enter the country. Like chemical fertilizer. Which is precisely why the government requires its citizens to actually use their own feces to ensure farm growth.
Farm Life
Dangerous Much?
Nope, this isn’t some facade for an online college degree assignment, it’s very real. The ropes look totally unsafe and none of the crew are wearing appropriate gear either. These are some very dangerous work conditions.
Dangerous Much?
Choices
Welcome to the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang. One of a small number of hotels that foreigners are even allowed to stay in. Moreover it’s conveniently located on an island. So that means that guests really cannot freely wander round, especially without a designated tour guide.
Choices
Booknerd
Many school books are littered with propaganda about the regime. Not a far stretch after everything we’ve shown you. Moreover much of the school day is focused on North Korean ideology. In addition, children are taught from an early age that learning about their Supreme Leaders is pretty much THE most important thing they can ever learn about.
Booknerd
Cinderella
As a tourist, there are a certain amount of roads that you’re even allowed to travel on. And those specific roads are always maintained. Which is precisely why the citizens of these areas carefully keep the road spotless, and not because they want to, they have to.
Cinderella
Undisciplined Children
The photographer who managed to snap this photo was quite shocked when he first saw this child. He and his driver were driving down this road in a big truck when this child was innocently standing right in their path. It didn’t even occur to the child that this massive vehicle was a danger to his life.
Undisciplined Children
Unfinished Painting
It seems like a beautiful mural in the works but when the photographer clicked away at this art, he was reprimanded. The people around shouted at him since he had taken a picture before the painting was completed. It’s so critical for the people of North Korea to always wear a mask, no matter what it has to do with.
Unfinished Painting
Farmer Life
Here is another image of the hardships that agriculture workers face in North Korea. Aside from looking absolutely exhausted by the work he is doing, we can’t help but notice that there earth on which he is working, is filled with more hard rocks than pretty much anything else.
Farmer Life
Fishy, Fishy
What you’re looking at here is the Taedong River. It is situated in the capital of north Korea, Pyongyang. Here you can see numerous men out on the banks of the river fishing for food. Due to a massive lack in food resources, locals are forced to fend for themselves. The city’s river is rumored to be polluted, so you can only imagine how unclean the fish must be.
Fishy Fishy
Idol
The people of North Korea are eternally praising of their leaders. Both Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un are considered to be their prophets, brought down from the almighty Kim Il Sung, who passed away 25 years ago. It’s not an uncommon sight to see locals bowing in respect to the statues of their leaders.
Idol
Frankie Says Relax
After everything you’ve seen so far, would it shock you to know that in North Korea it is illegal to photograph people who are exhausted? The facade of everyone being healthy, fit and energetic is sometimes too much, as you can see by this pair resting on the side of the road.
Frankie Says Relax
So Modern
Here is another example of a series of flashy, modern-looking buildings in downtown Pyongyang. The locals and the government love to show this area off as a prime location of established real estate. The reality is far from the image they attempt to display.
So Modern
Average
Kaesong is a city in the southern district of North Korea. This city is also close to the border of South Korea; North Korea’s archenemy. The photographer who took these photos was shown the nicer parts of this area by his tour guide, but he still managed to get these shots of poverty.
Average
No Boat, No Problem
As mentioned before, fishing is one of the few ways North Korean citizens can put food on their table. This man has found a temporary solution for the boat that he so desperately needs but cannot afford. What you’re looking at is a man floating on a tire while he fishes.
No Boat No Problem
Poverty
Here is yet another shot of the overwhelming poverty in North Korea. The greater part of the country’s infrastructure is outdated and in need of desperate repair. While the tour guide claimed that this specific railway was still in active use, there’s pretty good reasoning to think otherwise.
Poverty
Blackout
In a city where darkness falls and the lights that should illuminate the night fall with the darkness, there’s just one thing that stays vibrant. If you look closely, the light which you see is the face of the North Korea’s supreme leader. It seems all the city’s power is being pumped into keeping his face alight at night.
Blackout
Hitchhike
Due to the severe lack of public transportation within the borders of North Korea, many citizens find their only option to get from A to B is through hitchhiking. Despite the illegality of private enterprises in the Hermit Kingdom, some truck drivers take money or other means in exchange for giving others a ride.
Hitchhike
I See You
While most of us grace the walls of our homes with family pictures, the North Koreans have something else hanging on their walls. It is a must, and an enforced must, to have the pictures of their leaders, Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un hung up like regular portraits.
I See You
Preparation
Those massive blocks you see on the side of this road are there in case of war. If there is an invasion, a very real fear that the Hermit Kingdom believes to have, they can direct an explosion which will cause these blocks to fall onto the road. This will in turn make it impossible for attacking tanks to use the road.
Preparation
Isolation
Perhaps it is this artwork on the wall that tells us it all. While North and South Korea are divided in every respect imaginable, the North Koreans believe that the entire Korean Peninsula belongs to them. With very few allies, their resources and support are severely limited.
Isolation