[imText1]A Russian web designer, Artemii Lebedev who visited North Korea May 2006, has posted his collection of photos from inside North Korea on his website.
Excluding some common touristy areas, photography of any sort is prohibited in North Korea. Lebedev says he tried to evade the eyes of his guide, trying to capture the reality of North Korea.
On landing at North Korea airport, he said that he had to hand in his mobile phone and that he was under the scrutiny of his guide and driver at all times during his travels.
Though his daily itinerary only consisted of 2~3 sightseeing visits a day, he was unable to leave his hotel. And despite his hotel facilitating both BBC and NTV broadcasting as well as Chinese channels, he still expressed the limitations of his freedom.
On the various visits to tourist locations, Lebenev was often restrained from taking photos by the guide. He maintains that it is very difficult for foreign tourists to understand the true nature of North Korea.
[imText2]A propaganda monument in Pyongyang city. This piece was created to signify that “Chosun (North Korea)is the center of the world.”
[imText3]As it is a public holiday, Pyongyang citizens have come out to picnic along the Daedong Riverside. Even in May, the weather is quite cool as the seasonal change comes later in North than in the South. A man urinating into the river catches the attention of nearby observers.
[imText4]The home of a North Korean family used as a display to foreign tourists. Though the guide claims that the home is residence to a farm laborer, the house is equipped with electrical home appliances such as a cassette player and computer, which can normally only be found in elite North Korean homes. Nonetheless, the computer is not equipped with internet connection.
Even the growth and development of the toddler playing inside the home is good compared to average North Korean children.
[imText5]Pyongyang by night. Once evening sets, Pyongyang is draped in a sea of darkness. Excluding some high rise buildings, it is difficult to come across lighting along the street.
[imText6]Bird’s-eye view of Daedong River and surrounding Pyongyang. The water fountain in the middle of Daedong River can supposedly reach a maximum height of 150m.
[imText7]A woman sells cabbages along the streets of Pyongyang. The woman has used the wagon attached to her bicycle as a cart to sell goods. Selling goods at locations other than the designated markets is prohibited in North Korea, though at the least many people sell vegetables and fruit along the streets. On seeing a foreigner, these vendors must relocate immediately. Beside this woman has a Japanese-made second hand motorbike.
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[imText9]High rise apartments surround the old villas. Post-1980’s North Korea began to replace the old homes by building new ones on top of one another in a quest to make Pyongyang the revolutionary city. The guide said “Residents living in the old homes are the elderly who do not want to move to a new home.”
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The life of an average North Korean. Not only is there a lack of basic machinery in North Korea, there is still not enough fuel. Hence, cows are still used as the main source of farming. The cow is also skin and bones, resembling South Korea’s in the 70’s.
[imText11]A North Korean country town. Beyond the line of shabby homes are the naked bare mountains.
[imText12]Ryugyong Hotel located on the hill at Botongkang-district, Pyongyang. This incomplete 105 level hotel which takes the form of a pyramid began construction on August 28th 1987, and was scheduled for completion for Kim Il Sung’s 80th birthday in April ’92, however the major partner of the project, a French engineer, withdrew from the project on the basis that North Korea had breached the contract with late payments. Hence, due to lack of funds and skills the construction was abandoned. On top of the building, construction equipment has been left unattended, leaving a villainous structure of a building deserted.
[imText13]A currency exchange booth, mostly located in the vicinity of foreign stores. These stores retail souvenirs and goods for the foreign traveler. Since 2001, some say that the stores even carried sneakers as well as imported Chinese beverages.
[imText14]A stall selling drinks has been set up outside the restaurant. Lemonade is being sold in paper cups.
[imText15]Students learning Taekwondo out in the open.
※ The website: http://www.tema.ru/travel/choson-1/
