North Korea

[KimJongUn]

Children working and collecting materials outside, an image North Korea forbids as it depicts poverty.

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[KimJongUn]

They even work outside in the fields during hard, economic times.

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[KimJongUn]

Cars have only just begun appearing, which is why children still play in the streets.

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[KimJongUn]

Any display of poverty or wealth is forbidden. Perhaps that’s why the government didn’t want this photo of someone’s Mercedes revealed.

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[KimJongUn]

A street vendor outside. The government requested Lafforgue not to use flash, saying it would scare the people.

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[KimJongUn]

A rural bathroom’s cistern shows austere life in the country.

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[KimJongUn]

Public transportation is rare and underdeveloped, so you’ll even see soldiers hitchhiking.

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[KimJongUn]

The government forbids pictures of soldiers relaxing.

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[KimJongUn]

So are pictures of malnutrition.

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[KimJongUn]

Worker safety does not seem to concern officials.

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[KimJongUn]

The government allows photos of the animals performing, but not the crowd watching. Maybe because soldiers make up the whole audience.

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[KimJongUn]

Shopping at supermarkets is reserved for the elite. Even then, the selection is barren, although the stores still stock Evian.

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[KimJongUn]

Lafforgue intended to show a relaxing day between mother and daughter.
Officials feared he would depict them as homeless, and asked him to delete the photo.

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[KimJongUn]

Taking pictures of statues from the rear is forbidden.

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[KimJongUn]

The government does not allow pictures of its army.

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[KimJongUn]

North Korea presents a strong image of the army to its citizens. Having its soldiers do menial labor goes against this image.

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[KimJongUn]

North Koreans required to attend various monuments during the Kimjongilia festival, a festival for flowers named after former dictator Kim Jong-il.

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[KimJongUn]

A grey market exists in the carts that sell candy or cigarettes.

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[KimJongUn]

Officials attempt to maintain building exteriors, but even then, life looks bleak.

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[KimJongUn]

Brooms are never to be placed at the base of official statues.

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