ADVERTISEMENT

23 dismal photos of everyday life in North Korea that a visiting photographer captured on his phone

The North Korean government is notoriously secretive . Upon entering the country, visitors are instructed on what they can and cannot take pictures of. Customs agents inspectyour cellphone and other digitaldevices, including cameras, tablets, and storage cards,for banned content.

Xiaolu Chu, life in north korea, train ride, photography

These restrictions prompted Getty photographer Xiaolu Chu to travel by train through the country in August 2015, documenting everyday life through his phone lens. He told Tech Insider that whipping out his DSLR camera was too risky in some of the villages, where the locals reported sightings to the police.

ADVERTISEMENT

While some images were deleted during run-ins with the police, Chu shared the remainderof histrip with us.Here's whatitwas like:

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Google Maps

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

Xiaolu Chu/Getty

ADVERTISEMENT

See Also:

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

ADVERTISEMENT