Incredible images give a fascinating insight into the ordinary lives of North Koreans under Kim Jong Un
The fascinating pictures feature glimpses of ordinary life in the mysterious state
THESE incredible images give a unique glimpse into the ordinary lives of North Koreans under Kim Jong Un.
The pictures were taken by photographer Fabian Muir, who has just completed a two-year documentary project inside the secretive state.
Flower exhibition in Pyongyang honouring North Korea's former leaders
He wrote: "The problem with much of the material we see on North Korea is that it is too Pyongyang-heavy (the capital of North Korea), often done by photographers who have been there only once.
"Yet the capital is not at all representative of the country at large; series fixated on Pyongyang are almost necessarily doomed to depict monumental architecture, the metro and parades, providing nothing new and minimal insight into what life in greater North Korea might really be like.
"Over the course of many trips I have captured images that not only confirm some of the popular clichés—such as the near omnipresence of the Leaders — but also show a lesser-known and more intimate North Korea."
He added: "Certain photographers have been unable to resist a narrative that emphasises their own 'heroics' in having 'smuggled' images out of Pyongyang.
"This type of project makes the story as much about themselves than the subject. Yet the reality is that only images of soldiers/construction workers are deemed illegal and one's camera is never checked when leaving the country.
"All this has resulted in an often skewed and clichéd understanding of the place. Specifically for this reason, the images I have collected were taken in all corners of the country, and not just Pyongyang.
"To be fair, photography there is not easy, yet it is possible to see and experience a great deal.
"There are so many levels to North Korea that to throw everything in with the politics, as much of the mainstream media do, is far too simplistic. It is hoped that my series digs a little deeper and will take the viewer on an interesting journey through the DPRK and open up some unexpected perspectives."
Beijing today announced it will "seriously" implement new United Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programme.
The measures are set to hit Pyongyang's lucrative Chinese coal exports hard.
Spearheaded by the United States, the response to the hermit state's latest nuclear test in September was approved 15-0 after extended negotiations.
It limits North Korea's coal exports next year to 7.5 million tonnes or just over £315million.
The cap represents a fraction of the North's current annual exports to China, the isolated country's sole ally and its main provider of trade and aid.
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