A photographer with the name of Eric Lafforgue is known for his good works across the world. Recently, he traveled to the bastion of Kim Jong-Un and saw life from very close. He has ventured into North Korea six times since 2008. He was carrying digital memory cards which allowed him to store his works.
Lafforgue said, "I was treated like any other tourist. They didn't allow me to take pictures of the police, the army, etc. But with a 300mm zoom lens and a seat in the back of the bus, I could take so many. As soon as they were opening a new area to visit I tried to go and see it, documenting the place."
When Lafforgue completed his 6th trip to North Korea in 2012, he started sharing photographs online but they started demanding to take down the images from the internet. He said, “I refused as I show all the aspects of North Korea: the good and the bad. Just like I do with any country I visit. I refused to make an exception for North Korea and they didn't like this.
Lafforgue was banned from entering North Korea again. But, Lafforgue recounts his trips to the country as memorable one and says that North Koreans are actually warm people. He said, “During homestay meals in the countryside, I could speak with the locals for hours, thanks to my guides. They told me so much about how they live, what they dream of, and so on. The main thing to know is that North Koreans are warm people, very curious about the visitors and very generous, even though most of them own nearly nothing.
Here are the pictures that Lafforgue took during his visit to North Korea:
The picture shows a woman standing amidst the crowd of soldiers. Army pictures are not allowed to be taken by the authorities. But, Lafforgue was brave enough to take this picture.
Image source: www.boredpanda.com
The families in North Korea loves to show that their children have computers at home. But, they also struggle with electricity issues sometimes and they want to hide those lacunae.
Image source: www.boredpanda.com
The soldiers in North Korea is not always known for their atrocities. Sometimes, you can also spot a soldier helping local farmers. In the picture, a soldier is seen carrying woods for a farmer.
Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk
The kid shown in the picture is braving a bus on the road. It is a rare sight of an undisciplined kid in North Korea. The bus was traveling in the small roads of Samijyon in the North when the kid stood right in the middle of the road against the bus.
Image source: www.ntnews.com.au
Though this kind of picture is widely famous in West, Lafforgue still took it. The picture is showing a man collecting grass from a park. It is believed that North Koreans eat grass from the park. The guides also get annoyed when you try to take this kind of picture.
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North Koreans are very particular about their dresses. When the photographer was about to take the picture, the girl was seen asking the man to straighten his shirt.
Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk
There is no doubt that cars have become very common in Pyongyang. But, kids still play in the middle of the roads just like they used to before.
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The subway system of Pyongyang is the deepest in the world and it is also seen as a bomb shelter. It is hence they stop people from taking the picture of a tunnel.
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The most awkward prohibition in North Korea is restriction on taking pictures of unfinished paintings. The photographer took this picture and everybody started yelling at him.
Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk
The authorities in North Korea restrict people from taking picture of malnutrition. It is completely forbidden in North Korea.
Image source: smatterist.com
When you stay in Kaesong nearthe Dmz, you are literally confined in the Hotel Complex Composed Of Old Houses.
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It is literally restricted in North Korea to take pictures of soldiers while they are relaxing.
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In one of the abrupt rules, you can take pictures of animals in the Delphinium but you can't snap the soldiers who are about 90 per cent of the crowd.
Image source: www.news.com.au
There is a lake on the way to Wonsan where fishermen use tires as a mode of transport for fishing.
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North Koreans are in the habit of getting into queue while doing many things. It is like a national sport there.
Image source: www.lifebuzz.com
In the picture, a soldier was seen dozing off on a bench at a Christian church. Showing soldiers in bad light is prohibited in the North Korea.
Image source: www.diyphotography.net
Life in a rural North Korea is tough. Here in the picture, it was shown that a bathroom was used as a cistern.
Image source: www.washingtonpost.com
The photographer describes his experience when he was shooting at a factory with TV crew. The government sent another cameraman to film all.
Image source: www.nairaland.com
It is known that North Korea restricts people to show soldiers in bad light. But, in the picture, a soldier was seen sleeping in the field.
Image source: www.mirror.co.uk
Though poverty exists all across the world, North Korea is very particular about it. They don’t want their citizens to look poor. They also forbid people from taking pictures of the poor.
Image source: guff.com
While the photographer was travelling in North Korea, his bus was once diverted to residential areas. The guides asked them not to shoot with flash as it will scare people there.
Image source: www.dailymail.co.uk
The workers in North Korea had to go for daring activities as they operate with low safety standards. When you look at them while in operation, you will get a feeling that you are watching circus.
Image source: petapixel.com
Contrary to beliefs, you can find all kinds of food and drink items in two of the supermarkets in Pyongyang. Only the elite can go for shopping there.
Image source: www.news.com.au
Pyongyang also boasts of newly opened restaurants along the the Taedong river in the new center. Food served there is tasty and can only be enjoyed by elites.
Image source: reporterindia.com
It is restricted in North Korea to take pictures of Kim’s statues from the back side. The act is considered very rude.
Image source: www.boredpanda.com