Exclusivepix Media Ltd

Show Navigation
  • View All Galleries
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • About
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
  • Sell Your Story
  • Work for Exclusivepix Media
  • info on Purchasing Images

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
{ 453 images found }

Loading ()...

  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • THE DEAR LEADERS ARE WATCHING YOU<br />
Anywhere you are in DPRK, you will see the portraits of the Dear Leaders. In the houses, in the offices, in the<br />
hospitals, in the subway, they never leave you!<br />
If you look carefully, you will see that they are the frames are leaning forward to avoid reflections that would<br />
make them difficult to see.<br />
Only the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il can bee seen. Kim Jong Un has not yet portrait yet. They are<br />
sometimes accompanied by a portrait of Kim Jong Suk, Kim Il Sung’s first wife, and the mother of Kim Jong Il.<br />
In this case they are dressed with military uniforms and caps.<br />
They are two versions, one with pictures from the 80’s where the Leaders are very serious, one from the 90s<br />
where they smile. Some say they were the only people who smiled in North Korea.<br />
The portraits are so photshopped, in fact retouched by hand by north korean artists, that they look more ike<br />
paintings that pictures.<br />
The people who marry receive the two portraits and sometimes a third one showing Kim il Sung and Kim Jong Il<br />
chating with papers in the hands. This picture is really bad as it is taken with flash in a corridor office. When i<br />
asked my guide, he admitted this was not a perfect quality picture but it was the perfect illustration of the Dear<br />
Leaders working for the people, even when they were walking.<br />
When you ask north koreans if those portraits are not too much everywhere, they say that as they venerate the<br />
Leaders, it is a pleasure to see them all day long. My guide even noticed that many people have Jesus crucifix<br />
inside their bedrooms in western countries, for him, it was the same…<br />
The frames must always be clean, without fingers marks or dust for example. If you are caught not taking care<br />
of your portraits, you may have problems with the Party or even fined. I noticed that many portraits were dull<br />
because of the sun light on them after years, and were not changed. It seems it was a problem of budget.<br />
The wall where the portraits are hu
    ExPix_THE_DEAR_LEADERS_ARE_WATCHING_...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • HIGHWAY TO YELL IN NORTH KOREA<br />
<br />
Taking the highways in North Korea is a great experience as it allows to see the daily life of the country not controled by the government like in Pyongyang. They connect the main towns of the countries and are totally empty of cars. It makes a very strange atmosphere as the roads are as large as airstrips, but in bad shapes with lot of bumpings and holes.<br />
Everything is planned when you travel in North Korea, even the bathrooms stops, as according to the guide, it is too dangerous to stop on the highway to make a pee stop!<br />
Some shops in the middle of nowhere welcome you for a relaxing moment where one more time, you’ll be able to read some propaganda on the walls. It will also allow your driver to buy cheap Soju (rice alcool) that they drink like Red Bulls but with different side effects!<br />
<br />
Photo Shows:  While your friends go to pee in the toilets of the shop, where there is no running water, you can enjoy some propaganda on the wals of the shop.<br />
©Eric Lafforgue/Exclusivepix Media
    ExPix_HIGHWAY_TO_YELL_IN_NORTH_KOREA...jpg
  • HIGHWAY TO YELL IN NORTH KOREA<br />
<br />
Taking the highways in North Korea is a great experience as it allows to see the daily life of the country not controled by the government like in Pyongyang. They connect the main towns of the countries and are totally empty of cars. It makes a very strange atmosphere as the roads are as large as airstrips, but in bad shapes with lot of bumpings and holes.<br />
Everything is planned when you travel in North Korea, even the bathrooms stops, as according to the guide, it is too dangerous to stop on the highway to make a pee stop!<br />
Some shops in the middle of nowhere welcome you for a relaxing moment where one more time, you’ll be able to read some propaganda on the walls. It will also allow your driver to buy cheap Soju (rice alcool) that they drink like Red Bulls but with different side effects!<br />
<br />
Photo Shows:  Lot of propaganda billboards can be seen from the highway. A big investement compared to the traffic...<br />
©Eric Lafforgue/Exclusivepix Media
    ExPix_HIGHWAY_TO_YELL_IN_NORTH_KOREA...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • EXCLUSIVE<br />
A Chemical Beach Tour in North Korea<br />
<br />
For a long time, I had wanted to enjoy the beaches of North Korea promoted in official brochures. But the best one – located on the East Coast in Hamhung, the second largest city in the DPRK with a population of 800,000 – was not open to tourists. This finally changed in 2011 and I jumped on the opportunity to be one of the first to visit the place.<br />
<br />
My North Korean guide got starry-eyed while talking about this beach. He was extolling the "excellent stretches of pristine beach.” I don’t think that he ever went there but he learnt the official propaganda by heart.<br />
He told me that every North Korean citizen had the secret dream of enjoying a beach holiday. On the brochure he gave me, it said, “Majon, the resort in the suburbs of Hamhung and an industrial city” – an example of North Korean marketing.<br />
<br />
After arriving in Hamhung, a five-hour drive from Pyongyang, I follow the mandatory city tour. One stop in front of the Grand Theatre – not possible to go inside. I’m allowed to open the bus window if I want to take a picture. Another stop in front of Kim Il Sung’s giant statue. My guide explains, “The hill was built by people so they could erect the statue of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung on top of it. From there, you have a great view over the city. Let’s go!”<br />
In fact, the view from the top shows a dull city surrounded by the smoke from the factory chimneys as Hamhung is home to the best beach in North Korea but is also an industrial city with many chemical complexes. Everywhere we drive, we see factories when they are not hidden by the chimney smoke.<br />
<br />
My guide tells me that there is no pollution in the city… I ask him to be serious for once. Perhaps the air is pure in Pyongyang, but in Hamhung, it’s another story. But he keeps repeating that the air is pure. Sometimes, too much propaganda kills the propaganda…<br />
<br />
I am invited to visit the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex. An alarming yellow smoke
    ExPix_EXC_A_Chemical_Beach_Tour_in_N...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
  • Americans seen by North Korean's<br />
<br />
The USA is the arch nemesis of North Korea, but Americans can still visit the country. According to the Juche Travel, the North Korean travel agency, “American tourists are permitted to visit the DPRK however they can only enter or exit the country by plane (not train), and cannot spend more than 10 days in the country.”<br />
 I met many American tourists during my 6 trips, and most of them were surprised as they were well welcomed by the guides and locals alike. It was a far cry from the aggressive propaganda and menacing official statements issued by the regime. The Americans were allowed to go everywhere except the homestays in the Chilbo area where tourists sleep in [carefully selected] local farmers’ seaside homes. There was no explanation given, just an “It is not possible”.<br />
 North Koreans are quick to employ images and symbols of America in their own propaganda. During the Cold War, they seized the American spy boat, the USS Pueblo. It is now a Pyongyang tourist attraction. The guide on the boat explains that the US soldiers wrote letters of apology since they were so ashamed of what they did to North Korea. After Bill Clinton went to North Korea to seek the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee who were arrested by the North Koreans while researching human-trafficking, a director made a movie with the tv footages.<br />
In the giant “Gifts Museum” that displays all the gifts the Dear Leaders received from all around the world (mainly from communist countries), the guides are proud to point out Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s gift to Kim Jong-Il: a basketball autographed by Michael Jordan. No photo allowed!<br />
 Most of the propaganda posters depicting North Korea’s hatred of the USA has been removed from the streets. Photographing the only such billboard I saw during my stay in Pyongyang was not easy as the guides always found an excuse not to stop the bus. “Too much traffic,” they said, on a
    ExPix_Americans_seen_by_North_Korean...jpg
Next
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x