These photographs were taken by Eric Lafforgue, who managed to visit North Korea six times. He had to smuggle memory cards out of the country illegally.
Here, a picture of a soldier sleeping in a field, Lafforgue explains that this was the picture that got him banned from the country.
This is the subway system in Pyongyang, the deepest subway system in the world because it doubles as a bomb shelter. Lafforgue states, "Someone saw me taking this picture and told me to delete it since it included the tunnel."
Lafforgue: "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."
Bans against the black market in North Korea are strictly enforced, but 'grey market' vendors are common, often selling cigarettes or sweets for a little extra money.
Cars are becoming more widespread in Pyongyang, but the locals are still getting accustomed to seeing them. Lafforgue states that, "Kids play in the middle of the main avenues just like before when there were no cars in sight."
It is forbidden to take photographs of soldiers relaxing...
Lafforgue: "This kind of picture is widespread in the west. The caption often explains that North Koreans eat grass from the park. The guides get furious if you take it."
Lafforgue explains that guides strongly encourage visitors to take photographs when visiting families where the kids have computers, even though, as in the image shown here, there is no electricity in the home.
