Most Rare Photos Of Life Inside North Korea

Most Rare Photos Of Life Inside North Korea

UPI

Jul. 2018

The whole nation is shrouded in both literal and figurative darkness, thereby making the country one of the most mysterious places in the world. The contact between the country and the outside world seems to be the story of the elephant passing through the eyes of the needle and as well, this eventually led to many outsiders not having the chance to visit the North Korea -in fact, it’s nearly impossible for American to venture in without a pricey and heavily regulated visa.

One photographer, Eric Lafforgue managed to visit the world’s most peculiar and talked-about nation six times, and the photos he took there are truly compelling.

For those that make it inside North Korea’s borders, photography is highly-restricted and frowned upon. Using memory cards that he had to smuggle out of the country illegally, Lafforgue was able to share North Korea with the world in a way it has never been seen before.

The Watchdog

 

Next up on our list is this photograph. There is hardly a place in the country where the citizens and tourists are not watched over. Microphones, hidden cameras and other recording devices are present virtually everywhere – from parks to homes, offices to buses. Military watchtowers are a common sight in the country, and almost all the streets are filled with these military personnel who are always watching all your actions.

All Praise the Tyrant

 

Coming in next on our list of rare photos of life inside North Korea is this image. If you own a radio and television in North Korea, you are bound by law to keep them open to listen to propagandistic films and TV shows. All day all you have to listen to and watch are the patriotic country music videos and speeches from the president in between propagandist history shows. These shows will constantly remind you how lucky you are to live in North Korea and will shower praises for the country’s leaders. If you decide to put your radio or TV off during the airing of such content, you might end up in jail!

Trapped in Homeland

 

Next on our list is held by this spooky photograph. Although the country has a number of beautiful beaches and has some amazing coastlines, you can see the coastal roads are bordered with electric fences, and this goes on for miles and miles. Basically, the idea is not make sure that none of its citizens are able to flee this prison country.

The Barter System

 

Next up on our list comes this image. Earning money is extremely difficult anyways, and it is even accentuated in North Korea. Serving in the military and practising agriculture are two things which every citizen is expected to perform. Many soldiers work in the farms in free time in exchange of food or money, as evident by this shot. This is because even the government in the country can’t afford to pay properly all its soldiers.

Invading Home

Breaking into the top 5 photographs on our list of rare photos of life inside North Korea is this image. Believe it or not, but every household in the country have images and portraits of its leaders hanging in the wall. Not displaying the pictures of the leaders at home is considered disrespectful and can lead up to some severe punishments. A story goes that once a girl died when she was trying to save a picture of one of the leaders in flood. She was later hailed a hero. Now you know what is wrong with the country.

The Dead Roads

Coming in next on our list is this image. Now you must be wondering what these blocks on either side of the road are. Well, for starters, they are not for decoration! In fact, they are a strategic weapon to stop siege of the country. In case of an invasion, these boulders will fall upon the road, thereby blocking the road. It will ensure that no tanks or vehicles can pass through the road. Also, there are several rocks which form up the wall, all of which are designed to shrapnel in case of an invasion, thereby injuring and stopping any ground soldier.

Food for Thought

Next on our list comes this image. Child labour is in abundance in the country. Although education is considered to be mandatory of sorts, but don’t be surprised if you see thousands of children working in the agriculture sector, especially in the rural areas. It is believed that the country would have even less food than it currently has if the children stop working. That’s scary, right? These children work hard in excruciating weather, giving away the innocence and joy of childhood into contributing for a nation which is a hell by no short means.

The Endless Wait

This picture comes next on our list. Just like electricity, food, employment and freedom, public transportation is scarce in the country. only the capital city has public transportation and even that is irregular. There are cabs which only the elites could afford. By the way, they only can go to a few pre-determined places, as decided by the government. And the buses, are short in supply. As a result, just to get to work, people have to stand in queue for hours every day. Personal cars are something which no one can even think of. Therefore, you will hardly come across any car or any other vehicle on the roads for that matter. Yes, that means no traffic jam, but that also means a hellish long wait just to get to work. A lot of people depend on their bi-cycles or merely walk.

Hope

Number 1 on our list of 10 rare photos of life inside North Korea is this image. This image comes at number 1 for the reason that this is probably the only image which serves hope. on the left-hand side is North Korea and on the right-hand side is China and the contrast between the two of them are far more than what just meets our naked eye. A lot of people try to cross this waterway, the Tumen river, when it freezes up, to flee to China. However, they are captured back by the military with severe repercussions.

North Korea is a dangerous place. A country separated from the world, with very few allies. Out of the reach of organizations like the United Nations, the lives of its citizens are dominated by the leaders who are nothing short of Adolf Hitler. And yes, there are concentration camps in practise in the country presently. one day, and hopefully one day, all these will change and the people of the country will come out of the shackles to breathe for once in their lives. Let hope never die.