It's known that the North Korean government runs a tight ship. They try to be extremely careful with the information that gets out of their country. In recent years, the country allowed tourists from other countries to experience their way of life, but these tourists were met with carefully curated and staged home visits, museum tours, and even grocery store trips.
Thanks to daring photographers, memory cards filled with never-before-seen images captured in North Korea were smuggled out of the country…
Fake Computers
Naturally, it only made sense for the guides to want to push the perspective that North Korean's lived good lives. When tourists visited homes and schools, they were encouraged to take photos like this. However, when someone would comment on the computer's lack of power, the guides were visibly upset.
Re-Education Camp
North Korea takes its prisoners to a re-education camp to try and make them "better" instead of punishing them. Either way, the camps still starve the inmates and force them to perform hard labor. During re-education training, prisoners are usually interrogated or tortured.
Cars Are Mostly Unheard Of
Cars are a generally new experience for North Koreans. They've always had paved roads so that military vehicles and parade floats could get by, but most civilians don't have any. Kids have become so accustomed to playing in the middle of the street that they barely have any understanding of how dangerous a car could be.
Going Off Trail
While one of the photographers was on the tour bus, a road closure had them detour through the city. Since this route was not an official part of the tour, the guides wanted them to lay low. The photographer took a photo with flash, and the guide asked him not to so that he doesn't, "scare people."
Sleeping in the Field
The photographer of this photo claims that this photo was a huge contributor to why he was banned from North Korea. Obviously, the nation would not like it if a photographer managed to capture one of their soldiers snoozing on the job. The nation has strict procedures on everything, especially its military presence.
A Woman in the Crowd
The photographer wasn't sure why this woman was in the sea of army men, but it still makes for a striking photo. Taking photos of the military is strictly prohibited just in case any of them are doing something that's not allowed. Plus, taking a photo of a service member could be extremely dangerous for them, too, if they're slacking off.
Subway and Bomb Shelter
Apparently, North Korea felt the need to build a subway system that ran so deep that it doubles as a bomb shelter. When the photographer snapped this picture, the tour guide that he was with demanded that he delete the photo. They were uncomfortable with the fact that the photographer managed to capture the bomb-secure tunnel.
Farmer Children
While traveling around North Korea, it's common to see impoverished citizens. When the photographer took a photo of these children, the guides became extremely aggressive and forbid him from photographing the poor. The photographer told them that poverty is everywhere in the world, but they weren't having it.
Kids Have to Work, Too
North Korean children were commonly seen performing backbreaking work. This was especially common when the country wasn't prospering economically (which is how it usually is). Children in cities were never subject to this type of labor and were mainly focused on schooling.
Gray Market Vendors
Singular vendors used to be totally prohibited, even in impoverished villages. Grey market vendors have become common practice. Many families can make some money selling candy or cigarettes.
Big Mistake
North Korean's treat their leaders with extreme respect. The fact that this broom is leaning up against the base of Kim Il Sung's statue would be noted as a great disrespect and the person who did this would most likely be persecuted. The fact that a tourist captured this was extremely bad.
Keeping Watch
There are North Korean military members everywhere always keeping watch. This is mainly to keep possible defectors in their place. The second someone tried to run, they would go down. This is a sneaky post for one military soldier.
The Kimjongilia Festival
This photo was captured at the Kimjongilia festival. Thousands of North Koreans head to the capital each year to visit the monuments and pay their respects to Kim Jong Il. When he died in December of 2011, the flower was placed on his corpse during the public memorial. They named a hybrid of a begonia after him.
Carefully Designed Exteriors
In the capital of North Korea, every building was carefully constructed. They had a desire for everything to be uniform and clean. Pyongyang is where they take all visitors to get the "North Korean Experience." Unfortunately, that's about as much care as the government puts into the wellbeing of the residents. The insides of the buildings are quite bleak.
A Rural Home
In order to give people a true North Korean experience, tour guides bring them all over the place. They aren't just shown the folks who are "better off" in the city, which adds variety to the way of life that the tourists are being exposed to. The people in rural villages are specially handpicked by the government. Still, tourists are inadvertently shown how rough things can be. These citizens don't even have running water.
Permits for Travel
Public transportation isn't really a thing. There are a couple of buses, trains, and trolleys, but that's about it. Most of the time, you will see people hitchhiking or just walking along the highway. The woman in this photo is waving at the bus, possibly asking for a ride.
Money is Taboo
When the photographer took this photo, the owner of the car was closeby having a BBQ. The red star placard signifies that this person is high up in status. At that point, it was made clear to the photographer that taking photos of the impoverished is taboo. After he took this photo, the tour guide hurried him along. Apparently, they didn't want people taking note of the rich people, either...
Taking a Break
Even though the military was off-limits, the photographer didn't quite care. He managed to snag a photo of two soldiers who were just enjoying a minute to themselves. Hopefully, these men didn't face consequences for having their photo taken.
Malnutrition
North Korea is known for having malnutrition issues. In June of 2019, North Korea experienced the worst harvest they've had in recent years that affected 40% of the population. Food shortages are extremely common in the country and most of their population suffers from growth issues because of it.
Elite Supermarkets
The photographer wasn't permitted to bring his camera into the capital's supermarkets, which is why this photo was quite rushed. There are only two markets in the capital in total, and they are reserved only for most elite citizens. Here, they even have Evian water for sale...
Low Safety Standards
These men were most likely contracted by the government for the upkeep of the buildings in Pyongyang, but aren't given the proper safety gear for the jobs. The technology in North Korea is so far behind the rest of the world.
Water Shows
This photo was captured at the delphinium in Pyongyang. The tour guides said that people were allowed to photograph the animals but not the crowd. This photographer managed to get a sneaky photo of what the crowd typically looks like... mainly military with some rich families mixed in.
Menial Tasks
Even though North Korea touts itself as the strongest military in the world, most soldiers are spotted doing menial labor—half of them are simply glorified farmers and engineers.
A Common Sight
The photographer said that this sight was not uncommon. Many people were forced to bathe themselves in nearby bodies of water since they lacked access to water. Clean water wasn't even at the forefront of most peoples' minds... They just wanted water.
A Tired Mother and her Child
After the photographer snapped this photo at a funfair, the guide asked him to delete the photos. The guide was genuinely afraid that the photographer would post these and say that the mother was homeless. They didn't look homeless and most people would just assume it was a mother and child taking a breather, but the guides were extremely paranoid of how North Korea would be framed in the outside world.
Unknown Parasites
The South Korean government performed surgery on a North Korean defector when they found unknown parasites in his stomach. These parasites had never been seen in South Korea before, and they couldn't figure out if it was found in other parts of the world or not.
Immediate Disrespect
The photographer, who clearly did not like to follow rules, claimed that it was forbidden to take photos of any of the Kim statues from the back. Not only was it rude, but it was actually a punishable offense in North Korea.
Propaganda
This is how North Korean's received any sort of "news." The regime has a tight grasp over what information goes out to the public. Needless to say, they're pretty much always lying to their people. The headline in the photograph talks about Kim Jong Un winning the Nobel Peace Prize.
This Isn't a Gardener
No, this isn't a photo of a gardener tending to a park. This is a photo of an impoverished person collecting grass for sustenance. Apparently, it's extremely common to see people picking grass for later consumption. The guides get furious if they catch a tourist looking at or photographing these people.
Prison Camp
The fact that countries have camera's in space is probably North Korea's worst nightmare. The many prison camps that Kim Jong Un has claimed were fake were found out to be very real. This is the Jongori prison camp in North Korea where citizens who committed minor infractions would be put to work, usually until they died.
The Line for the Bus
This is the long line for the bus in Pyongyang. The public transportation system is extremely broken. As you can probably see, the buses are attached to overhead wires. So, when one of the many power outages strike, the city is without buses.
Food Vendors
These food vendors are set up by the government to offer tourists traditional kimchi dishes. If you take a closer look, a military woman is standing behind the vendors to make sure everything goes smoothly. This is simply another way the government attempts to fool the tourists into believing that North Korea has a "thriving" economy.
When the Bus Breaks Down
Sometimes, when the buses break down the soldiers have no other choice but the push them. Unfortunately, this happens so often that these guys are basically professional at it. The vehicles in North Korea are pretty dated and die pretty easily.
Showing Affection
The photographer caught a sweet moment between an off-duty soldier and his wife in public. Taking this photo was totally illegal. For one, you can't photograph soldiers, especially if they're off-duty. Secondly, photographing people with their backs turned is also prohibited as it's considered rude.
Female Soldiers
When North Korean girls turn 17, they're required to enroll in the military. The program lasts for seven years for those who actually survive it. Soldiers who have escaped recall countless nights in freezing cold barracks and suffering through long days with little to no food.
Paying Respects
This photo doesn't seem like it would be banned, but it very much is. Tourists were able to witness the school children paying their respects to the Dear Leader, but something was amiss. Apparently, the tour guide instructed the photographer to delete any and all photos of the event due to a misplaced scarf. The tall boy in the middle had his scarf tied on wrong, and the guides did not want that to be seen due to it being "imperfect" and a "bad representation" of the country.
Subway Corridor
Even though this photo isn't inherently bad, it's on the banned list. North Korea is pretty secretive with their subway systems due to the fact that it also doubles as a bomb shelter. The tour guide didn't permit this photo being taken, but they didn't prohibit it, either.
Resident Housing
Residents living just outside of Pyongyang do not have it easy. The people who live in the capital are given much better living arrangements and their buildings are kept up with albeit cheaply made. Photographs are strictly prohibited as citizens' real living situations... Those buildings look like they're about to fall down.
Putting the Kids to Work
These kids were brought into this field to get some work done. The type of work wasn't specified by the tour guide, and the photographer remembers being confused about what they were doing. Basically, the kids were being used as a source of free labor, which is highly illegal in most countries around the world. The government was not pleased to see this photo and demanded that it be deleted since it looked bad.
Two of the Dear Leaders
This is another angle of the statues that are usually prohibited. Although the photograph details the full bodies of the statues (which is part of the rules) they are taken on a side angle. The guides prefer that people take photos of the statues head-on since that's the most "powerful" angle.
A North Korea Tram
This rusty tram is one of the only modes of transportation in the capital. You can also tell how jam-packed it is in there. At least it was running... Barely. North Korea tries to show tourists their public transportation that's in tip-top condition.
Tight Living Conditions
This rural village is in better condition than most... A village such as this one doesn't have access to electricity or running water. In the winters, which are usually harsh and cold, villagers rely on their fireplace hearths to heat the home.
Line for the Train
Much like the bus, the train also has a long line. The railways are in disrepair, the trains are far and few between, and the constant power outages cause horrible delays. A line this long is a daily sight.
Experiencing a Power Outage
While the tour was in Pyongyang, the guides took them through the art center. During that, the power went out. Most of the tourists had experienced power outages since it was a daily thing. The tour guides and art center workers claimed that the power went out due to the American embargo.
Working Grandmother
The photographer titled this photo, "Help or No Photo?" He wasn't sure about the gesture of the woman. He noted that both the woman and the child looked tired and malnourished...
Day-to-Day Life
This photo was taken in front of a department store in Pyongyang. These people are probably some of the most well-off in the city due to the fact that they can even accord to go shopping. The government and other officials do not appreciate wealth being photographed, so seeing the people who are obviously thriving much more than the average North Korean is looked down upon.
Hamhung Chemical Factory
This chemical factory is totally top secret. Even though the tourist bus passed by it on one of the few highways in the area, the tour guides refused to tell the tourists anything other than the name of the building. It's not clear what's going on behind those grim walls. It sure looks spooky...
Fake Medical Tests
In order to show tourists that North Korean healthcare is topnotch. The government had everything planned so that when the tourists were visiting doctors' offices, they were able to sit in on some exams. The reason the photographer knew that this was fake was that the "patients" eye was closed... If she was actually doing an eye exam, she would have it open.
Soldiers In The Countryside
Once again, soldiers are being stand-in farmers. It's difficult to grow crops in North Korea due to the soil, so a lot of soldiers are forced to help the farmers in order to avoid famines. It doesn't always work. This photo was banned because the soldiers were looking unhappy, stressed, and ill.
North Korean Fuel
North Korea doesn't use oil for their vehicles like everyone else. They actually fuel their cars by burning charcoal, which is extremely dangerous and usually results in situations like the one photographed. Since this photo shows how difficult transportation is in North Korea, the government wanted it gone.
A Poor Village
The photographer took this photo from the tour bus. One of the tour guides on the bus noticed him take the photo and snatched the camera away from him. The camera was confiscated until after the ride, where the guide directed him to delete any photos of poverty.
A Computer User
This photo was banned due to the obvious staging that was taking place. The guides even let this girl pose for the photo, which is pretty uncommon. Obviously, they thought that their staging efforts paid off and that they fooled the tourists.
Barbed Wire Border
This barbed wire fence is used to keep intruders out of the country and to keep North Koreans in the country. They didn't want this to be photographed as it made it seem like the government was keeping people in the country against their will.
Failing Crops
Although it looks like these crops are flourishing, almost none of them are edible or decent for human consumption. The little boy in the photo is most likely the farmers' son who is out there helping his family try to make a living.
Young Working Boy
Child labor is a common ideal in North Korea. If they can walk, they can work. Due to the harsh conditions of living in the country, people need to make money by any means necessary. Sometimes, that means putting your young children to work.
Young Woman Resting
This woman was seen sitting beside the polluted Pothong River. The scene is serene and peaceful, but that's not enough for government officials to okay the photo. The man has his back turned, and the woman looks solemn. That kind of stuff won't fly.
Begging for Money
This photographer managed to catch a little boy begging for money at a train station. The train was just boarding up with civilians and soldiers. The photographer said that this was a common sight during his trip to North Korea. Many of the poor people were simply begging for money from other poor people...
Riding the Train
It can get pretty hot in North Korea. The trains can get sweltering hot, and the only way of relief is to hang out of the carriage door during the ride. Half of the time, people are spilling out of the doors anyway due to how overpacked the cars can get.
Uniform Buildings
This residence wasn't approved to take a photo of since North Korea has "much nicer" ones to share with the rest of the world. Densely packed high-rises are a popular way of life in North Korean cities. These places do have elevators, but they barely work because of the constant power outages.
Little To No Access to the Internet
North Koreans barely have access to the internet. There are public places that citizens can use for wifi access, but the wifi is extremely restricted. Most people use the internet to study... There's no online shopping or any type of social media available.
Living Spaces for Textile Workers
This is a photo of one of the dorms that textile workers are required to use. Obviously, this is a room that the government wanted to show, so it's unclear what the living conditions are really like. Every room must have portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il on the walls.
Showing Off the Military
Kim Jong Un loves to show off his military. Most of the time, the military is involved in parades in the country's capital. He loves super flashy parades with hordes of marching soldiers, especially. Then, the government will "kindly" distribute certain photos to the Western media as a way to show them how powerful the media is.
Defective Soldier
This soldier was able to escape into South Korea. This is a photo of him hiding against the wall in case anyone from North Korea came looking for him. He even covered himself up with leaves in a sad attempt to be unseen. Luckily, it worked, and South Korea was able to rescue him and give him proper medical care that he needed.
A Schoolgirl Walking Home
This photo conveys a young schoolgirl walking from next to a haphazard construction site. The men working are repairing the water supply system in Haeju, North Korea. Unfortunately, due to a lack of regulations, her walk to and from school has become extremely dangerous.
Extreme Malnourishment
The children in the photos are malnourished but are "normal" by North Korea standards. The reason that doctors in the country would call them normal is because they don't want to make it seem bad to other countries, and there really isn't much that they can do... The country is always suffering from food shortages.