A photographer captured these dismal photos of life in North Korea on his phone
Posted by
Artie Phelan
on
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Updated 2018-02-15T16:56:00Z
We know very little about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The North Korean government is notoriously secretive. Upon entering the country, visitors are instructed on what they can and cannot take pictures of. Customs agents inspect cellphones and other digital devices — including cameras, tablets, and storage cards — for banned content.
In 2015, these restrictions prompted Xiaolu Chu, a Getty photographer, to travel by train through the country, documenting everyday life through his phone's lens. He told Business Insider it was too risky to use a high-end camera because locals could report him to the authorities.
While some images were deleted during run-ins with the police, Chu shared some snapshots with Business Insider. Take a look at life inside North Korea.
Chu took the long way around during his visit to North Korea.
: A Customs officers talks to a passenger at Tumangang railway station on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Most Chinese tourists enter by train through Sinuiju or by plane through Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. Chu instead traveled to Russia so he could access the northern port at Tumangang.
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The train ride from Tumangang to Pyongyang, which lasts a day, was canceled because of a dispute between North Korea and South Korea.
A train carriage on it's way to Pyongyang is delayed for a day and half due to military transportation on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
"Fortunately, we had a whole day to go out and take some pictures in the village," Chu said.
A general view of Tumangang - a small town located at North Korea and Russia border on August 20, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
He saw scores of people living in abject poverty. Many begged for money, he said.
A little girl walks on the street on August 20, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
"There are nearly no fat people in North Korea," Chu said. "Everyone looks very thin."
An elderly man is seen on August 20, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Many of the residential buildings looked run-down and in need of repair.
A general view of Tumangang on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
When he returned to the train station, he noticed portraits of the country's former leaders and the words "long live" hanging overhead.
Kids pass by Tumangang railway station on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
At night, these shrines were the only lit structures in the village. Other buildings sat in darkness.
: A general view of of Tumangang railway station in night on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
The next day, he boarded a train for the nation's capital.
A general view of platform of Tumangang railway station on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
A customs agent on the train checked his tablet to make sure it wasn't GPS-enabled. The government has in the past tried to jam signals as a security measure.
A Customs officer checks a passenger's mobile device on the train No.100 from Moscow to Pyongyang at Tumangang railway station on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
The customs agent also checked Chu's laptop and DSLR camera. Chu said the agent had no trouble operating the devices, except the MacBook.
A Customs officer is seen on the train No.100 from Moscow to Pyongyang at Tumangang railway station on August 19, 2015 in Tumangang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
The train chugged along, giving Chu glimpses of everyday life. This boy collected corncobs beside the tracks.
A boy collects corn cob beside railway on August 24, 2015 North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Many people rode bicycles to get around.
People wait at a railway crossing on August 24, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Some scenes were quaint. Children took an afternoon dip in a river.
: Children swim in a river at noon on August 24, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Anytime the train pulled into a station, there were painful reminders of the country's poor living conditions. This little boy begged for money at a station in Hamhung.
A little boy begs for food on the platform in Hamhung Railway Station on August 21, 2015 in Hamhung, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Korean People's Army troops rested on the tracks.
Korean People's Army soldiers take a rest during a train journey amidst tension between North Korea and South Korea on August 21, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Whenever he hopped out, Chu shot photos on his phone. "DSLR is too obvious to take pictures in that condition, as people in the village were extremely vigilant," he said.
A general view of countryside on August 24, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Several locals reported him to the police. "A policeman and a solider stopped us and checked our cellphone," he said. "I hid most of the pictures; few pictures were deleted."
People cool down at a train carriage door on August 24, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
The tourism bureau encourages visitors to take photos of student-exercise groups. These kids rehearsed for a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the country's ruling political party.
Students rehearse for a celebration of the 70th birthday of Workers' Party of Korea on August 23, 2015 in Pyongyang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Photography of anti-West protests is also welcomed. These students were marching against South Korea and the US.
Students stage a protest against South Korea and the United States on August 23, 2015 in Pyongyang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
Eventually, Chu reached the railway station in Pyongyang.
A general view of platform at Pyongyang Railway Station on August 24, 2015 in Pyongyang, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
We asked whether Chu feared retribution for publishing the photos from his trip.
A female soldier guards railway on August 24, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
"No," he said. "Absolutely not."
Korean People's Army soldier look out from train during a train journey amidst tension between North Korea and South Korea on August 21, 2015, North Korea.Xiaolu Chu/Getty
