Rare Photos of Life in North Korea You Probably Haven’t seen Before

Empty trains

Empty trains run on time Foreigners who visit the Hermit Kingdom are heavily monitored, with only 4,000 to 6,000 western tourists being allowed access per year. They are taken on regulated, closely guarded tours, where taking photographs without permission could get them in serious trouble, thrown into jail or worse.

This picture of an empty train station was taken at great peril to the photographer’s life. The lives of North Korean citizens are monitored closely, and they are not allowed to travel. The only way to leave your town or village is with the regime’s express written permission. The train in this picture is mainly for tourists and is also used a propaganda tool by North Korea’s leaders to show the country’s modern and convenient transportation.