Glad I don't live in NK!

mrk · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:02

I know NK pics are not uncommon but these are recent and....well look for yourself!

Renowned documentary photographer Tomas van Houtryve entered North Korea by posing as a businessman looking to open a chocolate factory. Despite 24-hour surveillance by North Korean minders, he took arresting photographs of Pyongyang and its people—images rarely captured and even more rarely distributed in the West. They show stark glimmers of everyday life in the world’s last gulag.

http://digg.com/d1pAgL

OCdude · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:06

I cannot read the words "Chocolate Factory" and not think of oompa loompas, i'm sorry

Cosimo · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:08

I wouldn’t call those photographs arresting, boring yes, arresting no.

ScarySquirrel · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:09

NK is a bit ****ed up.

bledd · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:10

nuke from orb....

actually, not a bad idea!

Gilly · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:12

K-Swiss won't have been happy!

p4radox · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:12

Really interesting stuff.

I remember reading this a few years ago and being absolutely fascinated:
http://axisofeviltour.com/nk-trip1.htm

What a completely messed up country.

Ucof · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:15

Wow...
looks like a mental place.

That tram reminded me of L4D

ChroniC · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:16

Some ridiculous comments so far.

Looks like you'd expect from somewhere that doesn't conform to socialist ideals, hence no advertising.
Not sure i agree that the people don't look happy, that could easily be just a case of not being able to photograph the right places. Intriguing country, is it completely cut off from outside entrance? Im assuming you have to have a business interest to enter then?

XPE · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:18

Why the hell are K-Swiss making t-shirts there, surly there are other countries to go to if they want cheap labour.

platinum87 · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:19

whats wrong with nk? it is a lovely country

RandomTom · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:22

They're cladding part of the Ryungyong hotel at the moment, after 20 years. Crazy.

Sankari · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:29

North Korea has just a few hundred thousand cars for more than 20 million people. The country has only 1,000 miles of paved road.

Madness!

V4NT0M · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:37

9 photos, that's it?

Gilly · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:38

Skyfall said:
9 photos, that's it?

9 photos for a country that very rarely lets in outsiders, never mind allows them to take pics, is pretty big news.

Apok · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:39

Evangelion said:
Madness!

Less place's to worry about having to avoid dog mess is suppose.

Cosimo · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:41

Skyfall said:
9 photos, that's it?

Yup, here are a few more:

http://www.travel-images.com/korean.html

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/26/arts/20080226_STREET_SLIDESHOW_index.html

LeJosh · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:43

He'll have an army of North Korean Robots on his ass now.

Noel Gallagher · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:47

...nevermind, they'll survive.

A.N.Other · 22 Apr 2009 at 10:49

Gilly said:
K-Swiss won't have been happy!

Isn't that the truth! Poor old K-Swiss