Two really cool things happened recently. iReporter Kenny Zhu was allowed to take photos in North Korea using Google Glass and Singaporean photographer Aram Pan was allowed to capture 22 minutes of unedited and uncensored GoPro footage of Pyongyang, North Korea. This is one of the most comprehensive looks we’ve ever seen of the North Korean capital.
The video seems rather ethereal at times, because for such a large city, there’s almost zero advertising (excluding propaganda), zero trash, and with but a few exceptions, the streets are empty. It’s a decently long watch, so you might have to save this one for when you get home, but be sure to give the full video a watch when you can.
Notable:
Very little human noise — a “lifeless city,” said one viewer. Another said “it’s the quietest and cleanest city I could imagine driving through.”
Almost no people are seen out and about.
Very little traffic.
No advertisement except for propaganda.
One viewer said “the lack of smiling faces is disturbing.”
Highways are extremely bumpy.
North Koreans can be seen digging what appear to be wild vegetables on both sides of the highway.
“I met more foreigners than I expected in North Korea. Actually there were quite a few foreign (non-Asian) tour groups. I also met some Egyptians walking freely in Pyongyang.” (CNN)
“A tour guide asked me sincerely, “Is South Korea better than North or not?” but he refused to look at the photos I took while I was in South Korea.” (CNN)
The tour guide had no idea that Kim Jong-un studied abroad in Switzerland or that the daughter of Xi Jinping was studying in the United States.
He had not heard about the Sewol ferry accident.
He knew very little about Kim’s wife.
If you’re Chinese, you can visit North Korea for about $500 but if you have a U.S. passport, it costs about $3,000.
A DPRK official accidentally recorded himself while playing with the Glass, but Zhu didn’t upload the photos, fearing consequences for himself and/or the official.
Zhu was only allowed to take photos that show the “positive side” of North Korea.
Some of those details are from a CNN interview with Kenny Zhu and the others are from the comments section of the video and photos.
The photos taken by Kenny Zhu are below the video. You can see more photos at PetaPixel.
