22 illicit photos smuggled out of North Korea North Korea is one of the most mysterious countries in the world with stringent rules and a tightly controlled lifestyle governed by the authoritarian regime of Kim Jong-un therefore photos taken in this country are extremely rare almost everyone who visits North Korea is prohibited from taking photos and those who do risk immediate imprisonment from simple photos of people pretending to use computers to the 10 government approved hairstyles or Beggars seen all over the streets these images all depict the difficult life in this place join us on a journey
to explore 22 rare forbidden photos smuggled out of this country number 22 three generations of punishment the concept of three generations of punishment paints a horrifying picture of brutal Collective punishment in North Korean Society it is this regime's cruel version of passing down consequences like a dark hereditary curse to Future Generations imagine committing a crime in North Korea the punishment doesn't just fall on you but also on your descendants they will bear the heavy consequences of your sins as if they carry tainted blood this bizarre law was enacted in 1950 with the purpose of purging
the bloodline of those deemed counterrevolutionary after the war it not only punishes the individual who committed the crime but also their family families become hostages responsible for and suffering the consequences of one member's wrongdoing this form of collective punishment has a dark history used as a tool of Oppression torture and fear mongering in authoritarian regimes North Korea is not alone in employing this cruel tradition Nazi Germany China Japan and South Korea have also used similar forms of punishment in the past however South Korea abandoned this system in the 1990s North Korea on the other hand
continues to uphold the backstage rule of the workers party where three generations of a political criminal's family can be imprisoned or even worse the tring aspect is that this punishment is not clearly stipulated in any official legal document it exists as an unspoken rule a tool to consolidate power and suppress dissent North Korea with its three generations of punishment system is spreading Terror among its people and blatantly violating basic human rights the world must strongly condemn this cruel practice and unite in the fight for freedom justice and human rights in this country number 21 pleasure
Squad the pleasure Squad might sound strange but it is a real phenomenon in North Korea Kim jong-un's pleasure Squad consists of young attractive women who provide entertainment imagine these young women in the picture wearing unique uniforms that reveal more skin than is typically seen eager soldiers line up hoping to be chosen based on their beauty talent and connections there are rumors that they undergo a mysterious training program honing their performing art skills to entertain higher-ups including the elusive supreme leader but there is more to it the secrecy surrounding this clandestine group is said to involve
disturbing practices like virginity tests what are your thoughts on this squad please share your feelings below number 20 pretending to use a computer this photo taken in North Korea shows women eagerly using computers in a fully equipped room at first glance this image might seem normal even indicative of the country's scientific development however according to laf foru when he was taking the photo the tour guide asked the children to press the delete button in pretense even though the computer was actually turned off this act was meant to create an impression of modernity and widespread technology
use in North Korea in reality North Korean citizens face strict control over information access the internet is available only to a privileged few mainly government officials and scientists most people can only access information through State controlled media which frequently propagandizes in favor of the government and conceals the country's negative aspects despite the dangers lefor bravely shared these photos with the world exposing the Dark Truth behind North Korea's glossy propaganda he hopes these images will raise awareness about the state of information control and the violation of free speech in the country the image of the woman
pretending to use a turned off computer is a powerful reminder of the manipulation of information and the stringent control exercised by the North Korean government it highlights the stark contrast between the portrayed image and the reality faced by the people there every day number 19 child labor is common child labor is a serious and persistent problem in North Korea according to estimates by the international NGO save the children about 40% of children in North Korea are involved in labor activities violating the United Nations convention on the rights of the child which the country has signed
there are several causes for the widespread child labor in North Korea one of the main reasons is poverty North Korea's economy has been stagnant for decades forcing many families to rely on the income generated by their children to cover living expenses in addition North Korea's education system also contributes to the promotion of child labor compulsory education ends early and students are frequently encouraged to work to support their families and the state state media particularly praise these children and declare that they have chosen a life of hard work for the collective good from the photos the
children appear to be teenagers number 18 only 15 hairstyles allowed in the realm of beauty the state has strict regulations one of these is the rule that North Korean men and women can only choose from 15 specific hairstyles approved by the state in August 2017 several major newspapers surprised the public by revealing images of the 15 hairstyles permitted for men and women in North Korea not only are the number of hair styles limited but North Korean men must also adhere to a series of haircut rules issued by the government for young men hair should not
be longer than 5 cm and they must cut their hair every 2 weeks Pyongyang claims that long hair consumes nutrients from the brain so it is best to keep it short older men are allowed to have slightly longer hair but it should not exceed 7 cm furthermore North Korean men seem to be prohibited from adopting the hairstyle of leader Kim Jong Yun which features shaved sides and longer hair on top as this style is not included in the list the regulations on hairstyles and clothing are strictly enforced illustrations of the 15 hairstyles for men and
women are publicly displayed in hair salons across the country what do you think about this regulation share your thoughts below number 17 bowing respectfully under the Towering Bronze Statues of North Korea's revered leaders citizens bow respectfully this is something all citizens must do North Korea is often compared to a modern-day Nazi German hiding harsh realities beneath a glossy facade of meticulously staged Mass dances and synchronized swimming performances the people hear no only obedience reflected in the silent streets and elicit glimpses into the everyday lives of ordinary people in the suburbs of pongyang efforts to film
elderly women resting by bundles of hay are met with sharp rebukes questioning the purpose of taking photos in the city's bookstore where shelves grown under the weight of hagiographic Works an inadvertent Act of folding a page of the pongyang newspaper leads to a Stern reprimand as the image of the leader must remain intact and cannot be disrespected in any way overall the fervent reverence for the leaders the stringent control by the government and the faint glimmers of Hope For Freedom that seep through the cracks of this control painter Stark picture number 16 travel restrictions did
you know that North Korean citizens are not allowed to leave the country this is not just a regulation but a strict law rigorously enforced by the government imagine being trapped in a giant snow globe where the only exit is blocked and the key is held by the government illegally crossing the border in North Korea leads to catastrophic consequences torture forced labor and even a life in political prison camps only a lucky few are allowed to travel abroad usually students and athletes under the athletic Talent search ATS Elite program however their journey is far from easy
they are closely monitored and upon return they face not just interrogation but careful ideological study sessions to ensure their Spirits haven't been misguided by the outside world even during International competitions North Korean athletes face numerous strict warnings for example Jong Yol Kim who participated in the international mathematical Olympiad was a typical case before leaving North Korea he was carefully warned about capitalism and told to avoid any contact with South Korean students the isolation of North Korea is further highlighted by the strict control over meeting foreigners within the country there is always someone watching to ensure
every word and action stays within the line set by the government living in such a controlled and isolated Society North Koreans face countless difficulties and restrictions the door to Freedom seems firmly shut and the dream of a different life glimmers faintly like fragile rays of light in the dark night number 15 no internet access for the 25 million people in North Korea the internet is not a choice but a luxury reserved for a privileged few imagine the internet is a VIP party where only a few thousand are invited you might think you're living well with
internet access but in North Korea everything is different when accessing the internet you are closely monitored by a strict control system the librarian controls your access every 5 minutes the screen will freeze and you have to wait for the green light with fingerprint verification and that's not all a State security officer will always accompany you throughout your 1-hour internet session to participate in this process you need a special permit and obtaining this permit can take up to two exhausting days of bureaucratic procedures but wait there are even more restrictions you can only access government approved
websites mainly in Chinese or English for most North Koreans the internet is even more Out Of Reach they can only access Quang meong North Korea's internet with limited content and slow speeds while a few dozen families connected to Kim Jong Un and some foreigners enjoy unlimited internet access the rest of the North Korean population Longs for real internet next time you feel frustrated by slow internet speeds take a moment to be grateful that you don't have to wait 2 days for librarian approval or endure security surveillance while online what do you think about this share
your thoughts below number 14 Beggars on the streets beyond the thick veil of secrecy enveloping North Korea lies a harsh reality poverty is tightening its G the people here struggle to make a living in a society full of challenges where the ideology of self-reliance and self-sufficiency leads to a Relentless fight for survival the misallocation of resources means national resources are funneled into nuclear weapons development and the military while the silent Heroes of the economy the farmers bear the burden of fighting hunger they pour all their efforts into intensive farming sacrificing forests to expand cultivation areas
but the environmental consequences are disastrous soil erosion floods and a dwindling food supply food shortages are exacerbated by a stark income gap the wounds of the past Reliance on foreign aid continue to Fester aid from the Soviet Union during the Cold War in China afterward was cut off leaving North Korea stuck in poverty isolation and dependency as a result Beggars and homeless people on the streets are becoming more common they have to live on the streets exposed to harsh weather and the risk of violence exploitation and abuse difficulty accessing education and Healthcare makes it hard
for them to escape the cycle of poverty and homelessness number 13 the world's worst Airline air Coro currently ranks at the bottom of the world's Airlines it is the only airline to receive a OnStar rating from Sky tracks this ranking indicates that air Coro remains a lowquality airline not meeting the average standards of global Aviation air Coro has about 39 passenger aircraft including fixed wi aircraft and helic opter most of the airline's planes are old with low transport capacity and short range however the airline does have two modern 22004 aircraft made in Russia for international
routes in 2006 the European Union banned air Coro planes from its airspace due to the age of the aircraft however since March 2010 the EU has partially lifted the ban allowing North Korea's 2200 fors to fly over its territory if passengers on air Coro do not comply with the no photography rule flight attendants can confiscate cameras and delete any taken photos crumpling a newspaper with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un results in a stern lecture or Worse would you want to try flying with this Airline share your thoughts below number 12 mandatory
voting in most countries voting is a right but in North Korea it is mandatory failure to vote results in severe penalties elections in North Korea are held every 5 years with family members consistently winning with the highest number of votes consequently the official voter turnout rate in North Korea is often reported to be nearly 100% however the accuracy of this figure is highly disputed the North Korean electoral system faces significant criticism from the International Community for its lack of competitiveness and transparency nevertheless the North Korean government maintains that its election system is democratic and suited
to the country's reality what do you think about this system share your thoughts low number 11 High malnutrition rates among children in North Korea malnutrition is a persistent issue severely affecting the health and development of children according to UNICEF approximately 28% of children under five in North Korea are stunted a rate twice the global average malnutrition in children leads to Serious consequences impacting their physical and mental health malnourished children are more susceptible to infectious diseases have higher mortality rates and face challenges in learning and cognitive development the main reasons for child malnutrition in North Korea
include food shortages and difficult living conditions Additionally the healthc care system has many limitations preventing children from accessing essential nutritional Services the North Korean government has largely ignored this issue leaving children to suffer from Mal nutrition and hunger Daily Number 10 common use of trains in North Korea trains are the best means of transportation for North Koreans traveling between cities most North Koreans rely on public transportation because they are too poor to afford private cars or pay for taxis even the newest Subways and trams appear outdated and and worn out North Korea also has the
fewest cars per capita in the world buses are the most common form of transportation in North Korea especially in major cities like Pyongyang the bus network is relatively extensive including mod and double-decker buses introduced recently however old crowded and poorly maintained buses are a frequent issue in North Korea owning a car signifies wealth and power A car costs an astronomical amount roughly equivalent to $40,000 even bicycles are expensive and rare in North Korea and they have license plates like cars for short distances bicycles are the most widely used means of transportation in North Korea particularly
in rural areas additionally walking is a familiar mod of travel for locals especially in City [Music] centers number nine North Korean Cinema an interesting aspect captured by photographer Eric laf foru is the filmmaking activity at North Korea's largest Film Studio Korean Film Studio his work provides a rare glimpse into the film industry in this East Asian country the reason for North Korea's Rich film culture is that former leader Kim Jong Il the father of current leader Kim Jong Un loved movies the he reportedly had thousands of films in his personal Library seven movie theaters were
built in Pyongyang alone on average there is one movie theater for every 300 people and films are free to watch moreover All actors are carefully selected by the government North Korean films typically focus on a talented man leading the country through dark times to Prosperity number eight many men smoke smoking is culturally accepted and widespread in North Korea at least among men as of 2014 about 45% of men reportedly smoked daily compared to only 2.5% of women mostly older women from rural areas smoking is the leading cause of death in North Korea as of 2010
34% of men and 22% of women died from smoking related causes the highest rates in the world despite Tobacco Control programs in North Korea smoking rates have declined since their peak in the 2000s over 3,660 5,000 adults and 25,000 children in North Korea are estimated to smoke daily on average a smoker consumes 12.4 cigarettes per day with men smoking slightly more at 15 cigarettes per day a lot of North Korean men smoke they smoke everywhere all the time however there is no such thing as throwing away cigarette butts indiscriminately sharing about the fact that many
men smoke Jung hyon Cole the person who guided our work in North Korea said that military service is mandatory in North Korea the hard times in the Army are when cigarettes become their friends forever number seven heating with wood North Korea is known for its harsh frigid Winters some of the coldest in Asia therefore preparing firewood for winter is essential North Koreans start getting ready for winter in Early Autumn in Northern regions people mainly stockpile wood while in central regions coal is more commonly used for heating the coal Market becomes active after August in rural
areas almost every household has a fireplace for burning coal in Pyongyang people usually use the traditional onor floor heating system some Pyongyang residents install wood burning stoves in their homes others cover their rooms with plastic sheets to create a greenhouse effect to retain heat children often wake up early in Winter to collect firewood number six formal dress code the meticulousness in a tire is a prominent cultural characteristic in North Korea unlike many other countries where visitors can see a variety of fashion styles from Modern Trends to Casual youthful looks visitors to North Korea will always
be struck by the uniformity and politeness in the dress of its people in towns it is rare to see anyone dress sloppily or untidily one clear example is the image of students dancing in the park in formal attire always ready to straighten their clothes before taking a photo wondering around North Korea you can still see women dressed in colorful skirts aligned dresses or elegantly designed tops with eye-catching sequins this meticulousness in dress reflects respect for oneself the community and the nation dressing formally also contributes to creating a positive image of the country and its people
in the eyes of international visitors however short skirts and revealing clothing are considered inappropriate women can wear pants but are not allowed to roll them up above the knees violations of hair dying or clothing regulations are subject to administrative fines or short-term imprisonment number five propaganda Village when mentioning North Korea everyone thinks of strange and mysterious stories one such story is about the village of kiong dong also known as the peace village located in the demilitarized zone separating the two careers at first glance Kong Dong appears as a picturesque scene with brightly colored houses schools
kindergartens hospitals and even a park however behind this perfect facade lies many Secrets kijong dong is believed to be a pemin village a fake model built to propagate the North Korean regime the houses in kijong dong are said to be just concrete shells with Hollow insides Windows have no glass and electric lights are always on even during the day to create the illusion of activity during the day visitors can see villagers working in the fields or sweeping the streets however at night kiong dong is completely deserted next to Kong Dong is a 167 M tall
flag pole much taller than the 99 m flag pole in South Korea on the other side of the border the two koreas have often competed by flying higher Flags leading to the flag pole war in the 1980s the main purpose of kiong dong is believed to be to attract South Korean defectors by painting a bright picture of life in the north however this propaganda strategy has failed miserably instead of being attracted South Koreans have become even more suspicious and strengthened their belief in their choices number four Pyongyang arch of Triumph inspired by the iconic Arc
to triump in Paris the pongyang Arch of Triumph stands as an architectural Marvel underscoring the complex Narrative of North Korea this structure is not just a replica but surpasses its French counterpart casting an imposing shadow on the landscape at 60 M High the pongyang Arch of Triumph is the second tallest triumphal arch in the world built entirely of pure white granite in 1982 the structure exudes elegance and permanence it symbolizes not only architectural achievement but also embodies the indomitable Spirit of kimil s commemorating his significant role in the resistance against the Japanese from 1, 1925
to 1945 each of the 25,500 white granite blocks represents a day in the life of the revered leader the pongyang Arch of Triumph was officially inaugurated on April 15th 1982 marking kiml song's 70th birthday on the inauguration day a serious security incident occurred when Kim Illinois s nearly fell off the podium the incident exposed a flaw in the security system caused by a loose screw that malfunctioned the motion sensor number three green phone red phone according to the BBC the green phone along with another red one is placed on the direct telephone line table between
the North and South inside a building named Freedom House of South Korea at the truce Village of panmunjon this table was established in 1971 allowing Comm Comm unication between the Red Cross societies of the two koreas across the border a similar table is placed in North Korea's panak office these two buildings are less than 100 m apart within the inter Korean demilitarized zone more communication lines were established in 1972 And in the 1990s and 2000s today there are a total of 33 communication lines between the two koreas 5 for daily communication 21 for inter Korean
dialogues two for Aviation issues two for maritime issues and three for economic cooperation issues and three however most of these lines have been inactive since February 2016 when North Korea severed relations with South Korea after Saul suspended The Joint economic project at the kaong industrial complex in response to pyongyang's nuclear tests during the two years of severed communication South Korea continued to call its neighbor twice daily using the green phone the redphone is used to receive calls from North Korea in theory the lines are still connected but North Korea does not answer a spokesperson from
South Korea's Ministry of unification said number two coal mining one of the most common jobs in North Korea may surprise you coal mining this activity quietly takes place across the country's vast natural landscape hidden behind the regime's veil of secrecy however North Korea is not only rich in Coal but also possesses abundant minerals including zinc magnesium and iron their magnesium reserves alone are estimated at 6 billion tons making North Korea the second largest holder of this resource in the world the most prominent mining areas are in the provinces of hyong and shagang despite its great
potential North Korea's mining industry faces many challenges the main reason for this stagnation is the unstable power supply which makes it difficult to operate machinery and equipment the mining machinery and equipment are outdated affecting mining efficiency and productivity additionally North Korea lacks the necessary investment capit cap to upgrade infrastructure and equip the mining industry with modern machinery nonetheless the vast potential of North Korea's mining industry continues to attract International investors according to estimates by South Korea's national Mining Company the value of North Korea's minerals is up to $6 trillion equivalent to e5.5 trillion China is
the largest investor in North Korea's mining sector in the past 11 years Chinese companies have invested about $500 million in this field number one 51 different social classes in North Korea the social stratification system plays a crucial role in controlling and discriminating against the population this system known as song buan divide citizens into 51 categories based on loyalty to the regime and the Kim family according to a report by the North Korean Human Rights Commission this classification is applied from birth and affects every aspect of life children from loyal families have better educational opportunities are
prioritized for admission to prestigious universities and hold High positions in the government military and key Industries loyal families are given priority in housing food health care and other social services the Hostile class faces travel restrictions surveillance and even detention in labor camps the informal market economy has gradually developed allowing some people to become wealthy and improve their social status North Korean youth increasingly have access to external information leading to more open-mindedness about social stratification however these changes are slow in the song bun system remains a central pillar in North Korea's political system what do you
think about this system share your thoughts below so we've explored 22 illicit photos smuggled out of North Korea what are your thoughts on these photos would you want to visit North Korea remember to comment and share your thoughts thank you for watching our video don't forget to like share and subscribe to stay updated with our latest videos see you in the next videos