Channel: Earth Nutshell

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100 Photos Inside North Korea – Part 2

July 27, 2015, 12:49 am

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In a Nutshell: I visited North Korea in late 2014 for 16 days, just prior to the absolute lock down caused by Ebola. Most tourists only experience the political smokescreen of Pyongyang, I had the privilege in visiting all corners on one of the longest tours ever executed (no pun intended) for foreigners into the hermit kingdom. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. Upon exiting the country, my cameras were searched for over 2 hours in Sinuiju. Many photos were deleted. However, I had backups. Here are 100 photos (part 2) taken during my time in North Korea, enjoy.

Having lunch and far too much Soju (rice wine) during National Day celebrations with a local Pyongyang family, whom invited me over to join them. One of my guides acted as translator, as I asked them all sorts of heavy questions about what it's like living in Pyongyang. You'll be shocked to learn, "it's a great place to live, everyone has a job." — Having lunch and far too much Soju (rice wine) during National Day celebrations with a local Pyongyang family, whom invited me over to join them. One of my guides acted as translator, as I asked them all sorts of heavy questions about what it’s like living in Pyongyang. You’ll be shocked to learn, “it’s a great place to live, everyone has a job.”

69-naengmyeon-cold-noodles — Naengmyeon Noodles. A delicacy originating in North Korea, it’s a dish served cold with dressing and red chilli paste. It was actually quite tasty.

70-hamhung-countryside-truck — Things can only end badly. Photo taken in the northern countryside of North Korea’s second largest city, Hamhung.

71-pyongyang-metro-kimjongil — Exiting the Pyongyang Metro, Kim Jong-Il is always there to offer his encouragement.

72-pyongyang-funfair-military — Korean Peoples Army enjoying some rides in the Pyongyang Funfair. In uniform.

73-north-korea-currency — It’s illegal to handle or obtain local North Korean Won as a foreigner. To pay for everything, best option was ironically USD. Go figure. Euro and Chinese RMB was also accepted, and they could rarely give change. Fun fact: North Korea are the largest counterfeiters of USD in the world, they have factories.

74-north-korea-famous-artist — Mansudae Art Studio, Pyongyang. Pictured is a famous North Korean artist responsible for beautiful works displayed in buildings scattered across Pyongyang. Yes, he was actually painting. Propaganda material, including sculptures are produced here.

75-north-korea-solar-panels — “Let’s protect the great comrades politically and ideologically with our lives!” You can make out small solar panels sitting atop apartment balcony’s here. Further evidence the country is turning to alternative power sources to function.

76-pyongyang-arch-of-reunification — Forming the southern gateway to Pyongyang is the Arch of Reunification. It’s no mans land behind me, a controlled access 6 lane highway that heads south to the DMZ.

77-north-korean-monk — A North Korean monk at the Pohyon Buddhist Temple.

78-pyongyang-circus — The Pyongyang Circus was a surprise, in a great way. The performance was flawless, all involved were incredibly talented. Cirque du Soleil eat your heart out. No animals were involved in performances this time, either – I was expecting the worst. I don’t think this is the norm though, unfortunately.

79-north-korea-inland-beach — A day at the ‘beach’ for North Koreans.

80-north-korea-dmz-conference-rooms — You are looking across to South Korea. This is the Joint Security Area, it straddles the political border within the De-militarized Zone. The border is where the light gravel turns dark, denoted by a concrete line – cross that line, you’ll be shot. The buildings are halfway in each Korea, and the large building ahead is the ‘Freedom House’, ironically housing a dozen surveillance cameras.

81-north-korea-petrol-clam-bake — Tonights dinner was petrol clam bake. Clams are lit on fire with a layer of petrol, and it’s cooked by…spraying more petrol. Until golden brown and ready to eat, of course! It was surprisingly good, with a tangy petrol after taste. Soju supplies were plentiful to wash it down, luckily.

82-pyongyang-city — Say what you want about Pyongyang, but it doesn’t lack charm. In a weird…soviet communism, cold war kind of way.

83-north-korea-mausoleum-ladies — Formally dressed ladies arriving to show their respects to the great leaders lying in state at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun (The Mausoleum). Dress code is strict, security is thorough, and there is even a dust blower to ensure you’re spotless.

84-revolutionary-martyrs-cemetary — Each tombstone is individually sculpted to the fallen, this is the memorial to the North Korean soldiers that fought against the Japanese rule. The Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetary sits atop Mount Taesong, and faces a phenomenal view of Pyongyang. The locations are meticulous in North Korea.

85-nampo-orphanage-painting — The first thing you see upon entering the orphanage in Nampo city. I’m undecided whether it’s cute, creepy or downright disturbing. This place was certainly one of the more obvious facades in a visit to North Korea.

86-leaders-framed-photos — Not just a photo of the leaders. Note the frame, it’s thicker at the top. As if the great leaders were to look down upon you. This is a legal requirement, and must feature in every household and be regularly cleaned with a special cloth for official inspection by the state.

87-dmz-conference-room-soldiers — KPA officers guarding the door to South Korea at the DMZ. One step and a hail of gunfire between them and freedom. Those guards are technically standing in South Korea – the conference room is split in half and used for negotiation purposes.

88-manpok-valley-hike-weights — Locals tirelessly carrying sacks up and down Manpok Valley for weight training. Some are very young.

89-pyongyang-kaesong-motorway — Rough, potholed and unmaintained; this is still the best road in the DPRK. The Pyongyang-Kaesong Motorway (Reunification Highway) provides a direct link south to the DMZ. It’s a long, lonely controlled access no mans land that conveniently bypasses many rural areas. There were seven military checkpoints from Pyongyang to DMZ.

90-pyongyang-golf-course-guide — Pyongyang Golf Course. One of my guides came prepared for a day walking 18 holes on grass wearing high heels. This was regretted quickly. Golf was a new discovery for all of my guides, we got lost trying to find the course; it’s so rarely visited.

91-north-korea-visitation-murals — Similar murals exist at most locations, denoting when and how many times the leaders have visited and overseen their running. They are truly seen as demi-gods.

92-pyongyang-metro-murals — The end of each and every Metro station is blazoned by artistic talent similar to this.

93-kaesong-propaganda-speakers — Morning in Kaesong city. As I took this photo, propaganda is blasted from speakers situated on the buildings here in a scene taken straight out of cold war communism for dummies.

94-sariwon-folk-street — “Folklore Street” developed in the city of Sariwon, directly south of Pyongyang. It’s purpose is to display a romanticized version of ancient Korea. However you look at it, it’s quite a nice view from up here.

95-pyongyang-train-station-waiting — The regally decored, empty waiting room at Pyongyang Train Station.

96-pyongyang-lego-buildings — Like Legoland, the ‘good’ side of Pyongyang.

97-international-friendship-exhibition-soldiers — The entrance to the International Friendship Exhibition. The doors part ways as you approach. It is a lavish tunnel system carved into the mountains. Inside, proudly displayed are hundreds of thousands of gifts given to the leaders (and DPRK regime) by any country you can name. This includes the US, UK and Australia. You’d be surprised.

98-dmz-concrete-wall-kpa-general — South Korea in the distance. Taken at the DMZ, an hours drive to the east at what is known as the infamous ‘Concrete Wall’. Supposedly, this wall spans the entirety of the peninsula, and was built by South Korea and the Americans (its existence is denied), and can’t be seen from the south. It’s been a mainstay of DPRK propaganda for years. Even with binoculars and a clear day, the wall was nowhere to be seen.

99-uss-pueblo-pyongyang — The American ship, USS Pueblo captured by North Korea in 1968. It’s docked in the Taedong River, Pyongyang and used as a leading propaganda tool – an American asset the great Korean People’s Army prevented from spying into their territory. You get to watch a video onboard about this. It still remains a commissioned vessel, the only American one held captive.

100-north-korea-birthday-cake — I had my birthday in North Korea, this was my lavish cake. It was a great night, one to remember!

101-pyongyang-gardening — When labour is cheap or…free and in high supply…this is how gardens are maintained in Pyongyang. Photo taken at the Mausoleum.

102-pyongyang-supermarket-leader-visits — Signs indicating when Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un visited this main supermarket in Pyongyang, I was the second foreigner to be allowed inside here. The payment process was confusing and there were lots of Chinese products. I was told everybody shops here, that’s why there was so much food.

103-mausoleum-schoolchildren — Schoolchildren being led to visit the embalmed bodies of their late leaders at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. Discipline is strict. Formation is ingrained. Political propaganda is from a young age.

104-sinchon-american-massacre-mural — Mural marking the entrance to the village of Sinchon, which was the location of a brutal massacre at the hands of the United States during the Korean War. We head here to see the Museum of United States War Atrocities.

105-north-korea-statue-lighting — Lights similar to these surround important structures all over the country, illuminating them into a new day. We were told hidden surveillance is present too. Unconfirmed by my account.

106-hungnam-factory-manual-labor — “According to the party’s leadership, let’s work vigorously to a more prosperous country and homeland!”, “Let’s sweat more for the motherland!”, “What have I dedicated for the country?” A rare look into the North Korean manual labour industry – we were taken into the Hungnam Fertiliser Factory in Hamhung. If this place was the best example they could muster of working conditions, the rest of them are probably best kept secret.

107-sinchon-nusery-massacre — “Let’s get revenge on the imperialists murderers who brutally murdered our innocent children!” Taken in Sinchon, this man is one of the three survivors pictured to the right; of an alleged massacre by the United States of women and children in a nursery. Just outside behind me is a giant mural depicting American soldiers killing women, throwing and stepping on children.

108-kimjongilia-flowers — The Kimjongilia. No, I’m not kidding. That’s it’s name. It’s a type of begonia, ‘Kimjongilhwa’ and was Kim Jong-Il’s favourite flower – it adorned his corpse for public display after his death.

109-pyongyang-construction — “If the great Supreme Commander Comrade makes a decision, we must proceed accordingly!”

110-north-korea-countryside-village — “Long live the great comrade Kim Jong Un, the sun of Songun (military first) Cho Sun!” En route to Mt Myohyang.

111-pyongyang-desolate-buildings — Similarities to broken and desolate cities in late zombie apocalypse movies can’t be dismissed.

112-north-korea-cultural-revolution — The sign says “The Cultural Revolution.” China’s Communist Leader Mao began what was referred to as the Cultural Revolution in 1966. It’s purpose was to solidify his authority over the Chinese government with political extremism. Considering the recent alleged executions ordered by Kim Jong-Un, purging those in power in Pyongyang – this sign may represent a truly radical movement in North Korea under new rule.

113-kaesong-flowers-view — Rich colour, juxtapositioned by a cold, soviet era city ruled by communism. Welcome to Kaesong.

114-pyongyang-political-building — “The Great Comrade Kim Il-Sung and Comrade Kim Jong-Il will be with us eternally”, central Pyongyang.

115-pyongyang-fishing-uss-pueblo — Locals fishing in the Taedong River, central to Pyongyang. This photo was taken from the captured American ship USS Pueblo that’s docked here.

116-dprk-national-day-child — A young girl in Moranbong Park dressed for the occasion to celebrate National Day; the founding of the DPRK.

117-pyongyang-metro-paper-kimjongil — As with DPRK state controlled television, Kim Jong-Il appears in the daily Pyongyang Times inspecting North Korea as if it’s a current event. This is todays paper in the Pyongyang metro system – “Let the immortal achievements built by Workers’ Party of Korea last for as long as ten million years.”

118-hamhung-mixed-military-drill — Young North Koreans partaking in a mixed military drill somewhere between Wonsan and Hamhung on the east coast.

The Foreign Languages Bookshop, Pyongyang. A primary source to foreigner re-education. Treat your mother on her upcoming birthday with a copy of “Kim Jong-Un – Let Us Brilliantly Accomplish The Revolutionary Cause Of Juche Holding Kim Jong-Il In High Esteem As The Eternal General Secretary Of Our Party.” Actual title.

120-hungnam-fertiliser-factory-technology — Showing off the technological advancement behind the control room to the Hungnam Fertiliser Factory. Windows is used as the operating system, as it was at the Grand Peoples Study House in Pyongyang. Hey, America can’t be that bad after all.

121-pyongyang-botanical-gardens-wedding — Marriage photography being taken in the Pyongyang Botanical Gardens. The bride, groom and family included us in some photos. We weren’t exactly dressed for the occasion, but I can’t imagine many North Korean weddings have had foreigner attendees, maybe they acquired some bragging rights today.

122-pyongyang-restaurant-alone — A table laid out for one in an empty restaurant, three waitresses and 10 plates of food which I didn’t even make a dent into. Out of every table available, mine faced the Korean State Television broadcast. Coincidence?

123-wonsan-mobiles — You probably wouldn’t have guessed but most privileged locals lucky enough to live within the main cities have their own mobile phones. There is no internet access, though.

124-pujon-county-woodlands — Rarely seen by foreigners, the autumn woodlands showcased in the untouched countryside of Pujon County, north-east of the country.

125-north-korea-apartment-blocks — Apartment blocks all over the country are just cold, depressing, weathered old slabs of concrete. North Korea has very cold, snowy winters; it must be hell on earth.

126-nampo-housing — Local housing on the outskirts of the west-coast city of Nampo.

127-pyongyang-golf-course-first-hit — Pyongyang Golf Course. One of my guides taking his first ever golf shot. He had never heard of golf before I introduced him today, and he took a real liking to it. A 4 hour round turned into 6 hours as he joined in to learn.

128-arch-of-triumph-solar — You could almost forget you were in North Korea with this scene in Pyongyang. The solar panels on the street lights were a nice touch.

129-haeju-ak47-monument — Haeju. Americans are not welcome here, literally. If you have Americans on your tour, you are not allowed to stop anywhere in Haeju. We had to get special approval for a toilet stop at a hotel not visible to the street.

130-masik-pass-hotel — Masik Pass Ski Resort, the most luxurious hotel in North Korea, and it’s no joke. It was built in 10 months by the KPA to boost tourism numbers. Situated in the middle of nowhere, when approached from the west the lights hit you like a hotel in Las Vegas. It was summer, there was no snow, there were more staff than us, and we were the only guests. It was weird.

131-north-korea-mtkumgang — Mount Kumgang, known for its exclusive scenic beauty found nowhere else in North Korea. We did some hiking here, checking out the Kuryong Falls. It’s quite close to the border with South Korea on the south-east coast.

132-kimjongil-stood-greenhouse- — “Pollution-free greenhouse the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong-Il has sent us.” See the triangle on the ground? That’s where Kim Jong-Il stood when he had his photograph taken. This is at the Wonsan Agriculture University. The majority of crops in North Korea are tended to by hand, as machinery and fuel are in short supply.

133-pyongyang-murals-unavoidable — The murals are just unavoidable.

134-pyongyang-feature-film-locals — Giant mural at the entry to the Pyongyang Feature Film Studios. This is where all the North Korean blockbuster films you know of have been produced. There are movie sets here that do a pretty good job in replicating Japanese and European streets and culture.

135-north-korea-china-view — That’s China across the river. This photo was taken in Sinuiju, North Korea from the train as it began to click across the ‘Friendship Bridge’. I had just endured over two hours of search. It’s not often you’ll hear someone say they are looking forward to the freedom of Communist China, but…

136-window-to-pyongyang — This photo is a true window into Pyongyang and the political smokescreen it upholds. Those beautiful skyscrapers are not representative of anywhere else in the country.

Interested in North Korea? More coming soon! Follow me on Facebook!

Earth Nutshell

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