Baker Neal, “North Korea laid bare
as amazing photographs explained by defectors lift the lid on the brutal
dictatorship”, The Sun, 7th
January 2017
Snaps show desperate
conditions and level of government interference in Kim Jong Un's hermit kingdom.
STUNNING photos have revealed what life is really like
inside North Korea. Explained by defectors who
fled the hermit dictatorship, they lay bare the monotony and uniformity of
everyday life under the iron rule of Kim Jong Un.
Relatively well-off citizens in the capital Pyongyang
still huddle together in raggedy clothes as they wait for a bus.
Relatively well-off citizens in the capital Pyongyang
still huddle together in raggedy clothes as they wait for a bus
Half-empty boulevards, entire districts in blackout to
power tourist-friendly areas and imposing architecture symbolising
authoritarian rule are all on display in the amazing collection passed
exclusively to The Sun.
But it’s only by looking through the eyes of those who
have lived there that the images really come to life, as all attempts at gloss
and glamour are washed away to reveal a harsh reality.
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Taken by Chris Petersen-Clausen, who went on a
strictly guided tour of the capital Pyongyang, the pictures have been shown to
former residents to see what they can reveal about their hometown.
They include Han Song Chol and Kim Jun Hyok, who both
left the city in 2014 for South Korea.
There is also Kang Jimin, a UK-based journalist who
left North Korea in 2005 and Fyodor Tertitskiy, a Russian North Korean studies
researcher, currently completing a PhD in Seoul, South Korea.
Pyongyang’s recently modernized Sunan airport, where
the majority of foreigners arrive, “is likely to be one of the few things in
North Korea which would not require renovation in case of unification,” says
Tertitskiy, a Russian North Korea watcher.
“The previous airport was very old, so it took a lot
of time to board the plane or to go through customs inspection,” Han Song Chol
adds.
“Looks like these girls are in a North Korean varsity
sports team,” says Han Song Chol.
“They are training with sneakers instead of proper
training shoes.
“My cousin used to train in the 425 soccer school, and
they have to pay for their own training shoes as cleats run around 100 USD.
“Members usually buy cheaper sneakers but they don’t
last long as the quality is not that great.
“There was once a time when DPRK female soccer players
used to rock in the Asian region,” adds Kang Jimin.
“As seen in the photo, they have no choice but to
train on the asphalt or dirt schoolyards like that instead of in a proper
lawn.”
Ryomyong Street Tower of Eternal Life
“This tower is at the entrance of Kumsung Street, and
is the only arc Eternal Tower in the North,” says Kim Jun Hyok.
“They are changing the slogans on the side while
remodeling it as well.”
“The inscriptions on such towers usually read: ‘Great
comrade Kim Il Sung and great comrade Kim Jong Il are always with us!'” says
Tertitskiy.
This particular model stands at the beginning of
Ryomyong Street, where North Korean soldiers are currently working to refurbish
and build over 3,000 new apartments by the end of the year.
See full article
