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STRIFE THROUGH A LENS

Shocking pictures exposing North Korean poverty that got photographer kicked out of Kim Jong-Un’s Kingdom

Eric Lafforgue managed to save some photos on a memory card, which give a glimpse into everyday life in the secretive country

THESE are the pictures North Korea doesn't want you to see.

The shocking photos show families living in poverty under the rule of Kim Jong-Un and a glimpse into everyday life in the secretive country.

Eric said: "Taking pictures in the DMZ is easy, but if you come too close to the soldiers, they stop you."
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Eric said: "Taking pictures in the DMZ is easy, but if you come too close to the soldiers, they stop you."Credit: Exclusivepix Media

The were taken by photographer Eric Lafforgue, who managed to sneakily take a few snaps - despite being told by his minder NOT to take any pictures, and if he did, to delete them.

Lafforgue, 52, has been to North Korea six times but was BANNED from the country on his latest visit for taking several 'forbidden' photographs.

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Luckily, he saved some of the photos onto a memory card in a bid to show the world what life in North Korea is like behind the staged state-released images.

The pictures show not only shocking levels of deprivation but also the bizarre and strange rules.

Eric revealed that he was forbidden to take photographs of the poverty in the country, despite it being clear to see.

 

He went to Chongjin, a city in the north but had his digital camera confiscated - and when he arrived there, he said he could see why officials would want to hide poverty levels from the outside world.

In other areas he snapped images of people eating grass, and young children working in fields.

Another picture shows kids helping out in 'public projects' which is an annual community event. However, here it can be interpreted as forced labour as people are forced to do menial tasks - as seen in one of Eric's photos, where women children are painting milestones.

This picture appears to show kids transporting huge bags of rice in a trailer
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This picture appears to show kids transporting huge bags of rice in a trailerCredit: Exclusivepix Media
Children farming in a field
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Children farming in a field, under the watchful eye of a minderCredit: Exclusivepix Media
People participating in a 'public project.' Visitors are forbidden to take photos like this because the projects are viewed as forced labour
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People participating in a 'public project.' Visitors are forbidden to take photos like this because the projects are viewed as forced labourCredit: Exclusivepix Media
Kids collect grains on the street of Begaebong
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Kids collect grains on the street of BegaebongCredit: Exclusivepix Media

He said that power cuts happen every day - but the North Koreans don't like anyone to know,  blaming the issue on the 'American embargo'

He was told to delete a picture of a girl using a computer at her home, because it demonstrated that there was no electricity.

But North Korea were keen to show the world that kids in North Korea have fun, painting a very different picture from the harsh reality shown in some of Eric's photographs.

Eric said: "When you visit families, the guides love it if you take pics to show the world that kids have computers. But when they see there is no electricity, then they ask you to delete!"
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Tour guides apparently love it when tourists take pictures of families and children having funCredit: Exclusivepix Media
Eric said:: "The Pionners camp of Wonsan is often visited by tourists to show the youth from all over the country having fun. But some children come from the countryside and are afraid to use the escalators which they've never seen before."
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Some children come from the countryside and are afraid to use the escalators which they've never seen before when at a summer holiday campCredit: Exclusivepix Media

Eric was allowed to visit some families in their homes - but only ones that had been carefully chosen by the government.

Despite the decor there were small signs that 'times are hard', and in one house, a family appeared to be using a bath as a cistern.

Eric said: "A visit to a rural home. Those houses and the families who live there are carefully selected by the government. But sometimes, a detail like a bathroom used as a cistern shows that times are hard"
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Eric said: "A visit to a rural home. Those houses and the families who live there are carefully selected by the government. But sometimes, a detail like a bathroom used as a cistern shows that times are hard"Credit: Exclusivepix Media
Eric said: " The North Korean officials hate when you take this kind of picture. Even when I explain that poverty exists all around the world, in my own country as well, they forbid me from taking pictures of the poor."
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Eric said: " The North Korean officials hate when you take this kind of picture. Even when I explain that poverty exists all around the world, in my own country as well, they forbid me from taking pictures of the poor."Credit: Exclusivepix Media

 

Eric explained: "A rare example of an undisciplined kid in North Korea. The bus was driving in the small roads of Samijyon in the north, when this kid stood in the middle of the road."
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Eric explained: "A rare example of an undisciplined kid in North Korea. The bus was driving in the small roads of Samijyon in the north, when this kid stood in the middle of the road."Credit: Exclusivepix Media

Is is forbidden to take photos of soldiers and officials, especially if they are unflattering.

In one part of his visit to a dolphin display he was told he was allowed to take pictures of the animals but not of soldiers, despite there being so many in the audience.

He managed to grab one photo of an official sleeping in a church - which he says is probably one of the main reasons why he is banned.

Eric was told to never show officials in a bad light - like this photograph
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Eric was told to never show officials in a bad light - like this photographCredit: Exclusivepix Media
Eric was encouraged to take pictures of the dolphins, but not the crowd of soldiers
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Eric was encouraged to take pictures of the dolphins, but not the crowd of soldiersCredit: Exclusivepix Media
A rare photo of an official in North Korea
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A rare photo of an official in North KoreaCredit: Exclusivepix Media

North Korea is widely accused of having one of the worst human rights records in the world because residents are strictly managed by the state.

All aspects of daily life are controlled, including employment and travel.

Amnesty International have also accused North Korea of holding people in prison camps and forcing them to work in poor conditions, mainly for behaving in a way that is seen is hostile towards the government.

This includes being critical of the way the country is run - and the State Security Department allegedly deport these people to the camps with their family with no trial and little or no chance of ever being released.

North Korea has been blasted for low safety standards
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North Korea has been blasted for low safety standardsCredit: Exclusivepix Media
This bizarre image shows a man eating grass in a public park, which guides get 'furious' at if photographed
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This bizarre image shows a man eating grass in a public park, which guides get 'furious' at if photographedCredit: Exclusivepix Media

Earlier this week it was revealed that millions of North Korean's are

Kids, cops and Kim Jong-Un's top aides are all addicted to the drug, which is even used as a pain killer because residents don't have access to proper healthcare.

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