North Korea

35 ILLEGAL PHOTOS THAT WERE SECRETLY SMUGGLED OUT OF NORTH KOREA

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• published: 16 Jul 2016
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35 Illegal Photos That Were Secretly Smuggled Out Of North Korea. Sometimes, it feels like the entire world is accessible to us: International travel is easier than ever before, and even if we can't make a trip we have the internet and social media to provide us a window into the world. However, there's one place where that's still not quite true: North Korea. Heavily guarded, mysterious, and frozen in time, the country only allows certain people in -- and then has incredibly strict guidelines about what kind of information can get out. Despite that, photographer Michal Huniewiz risked imprisonment by taking photos of everyday life in the country, and then smuggling them out. He managed to evade the watch of his tour guide (who acts like more of a guard) to take these incredible images. #1. He took this photo of a customs declaration form revealing the items banned from being brought into the country (the list is quite long). Additionally, everyone's laptop was searched for "controversial" content. #2. His visit started with a train journey from the Chinese city of Dandong to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. #3. Dandong station is one of the only entry points into North Korea for foreigners. This is where his journey started. #4. Here, a young boy checks out the railway works during the journey. #5. Here's Pyongyang by day, looking about as bleak as possible. #6. The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge remains one of the last bright lights for tourists. #7. Here, Koreans watch and wait for a train to pass, giving the photographer a few seconds to snap this image. #8. In this image, Korean workers in matching uniforms haul their equipment. #9. And here, street cleaners sweep pavements for dust under the keen eye of a soldier in one of the parks in Pyongyang. #10. In this restaurant, propaganda images are broadcast on television around the clock. #11. In fact, there's propaganda broadcasting just about everywhere. #12. Here, a mother carries her baby alongside other women. #13. Although both of these city women are well dressed, many people in the country are living in poverty. #14. Here, group of women in matching, government-mandated outfits are sweeping a spotless pathway in Pyongyang. #15. The photographer took a ton of photos of everyday life, all of which were strictly forbidden. #16. And somehow, he managed to smuggle them all out of the country, undetected. #17. In this image, a truck carries North Korean soldiers, unaware they are being photographed. #18. Images of soldiers were very risky and could have landed the photographer in jail. #19. The images show exactly how run down the capital city really is. #20. Most of the city is full of depressing, grey concrete. #21. The rural parts of North Korea reveal miles of uninterrupted green fields. Agricultural is an integral part of the country's survival. #22. Most people don't own cars, and instead ride bikes through the countryside. #23. Here, three girls play in the crops next to a dilapidated building. #24. Despite that, the city is filled with fancy looking cars -- many of which rarely get used. #25. A traffic officer stands to attention at the side of the road, however there are no cars to be seen. #26. "I had 15 seconds to take this picture. This shop is for the locals only, and I was kicked out of it by my guide soon after taking this photo, but he didn't’ see me taking it," the photographer said in an interview. #27. Here, a North Korean man stares back at the camera while commuting. #28. Here's what a typical grocery store in the city looks like. #29. Here, road workers repair street lights in the city. #30. The city has plenty of massive buildings, but many of them stand empty. #31. Most of the buildings in the city are high rises. #32. If they're not empty, they're completely run down. #33. Leaving the hermit state remains extremely difficult for many North Koreans, with numerous watchtowers positioned in rural areas to prevent anyone from going astray. #34. The towering metal statues of North Korea's founding father Kim Il-Sung and King Jong-Il looming large over the city square. #35. Pyongyang is full of constant reminders of the Dear Leaders, never allowing the residents to forget who is in charge.