5. Forbidden Slums Near the Capital

This photo, taken at great risk, shows a shantytown on the outskirts of Pyongyang. Crumbling homes, muddy streets, and makeshift roofs paint a bleak picture. These areas are strictly off-limits to tourists, who are only allowed to see model districts. The image contradicted claims of uniform living standards and shocked viewers who had only seen the curated parts of the city. It proved that poverty doesn’t just exist in remote provinces—it’s right next to the capital.

6. Secret Markets Under Surveillance

Captured through a hidden lens, this photo shows an illegal market where citizens trade food and goods to survive. Officially banned, these markets are tolerated in secret because they keep people alive. But surveillance is everywhere. In the image, a plainclothes officer watches from a distance. The photo reveals the bizarre balance between black-market survival and strict state control. It stunned observers, highlighting how deeply the regime controls even the most basic economic activity.