Just like in the famous book 1984 by Geroge Orwell, everything that is said or done by the people of North Korea is monitored by the government. No place in the country is free from surveillance.
Hidden cameras and microphones are placed everywhere from people’s homes, work, parks and squares and even inside public transportation and cars! Just like in this picture, one can often see North Korean military watchtowers overlooking towns and villages, making sure that everyone is in line.
Street walking
In a country as big as North Korea it is important to have good roads so that people and goods can get from one place to another. Luckily, the North Koreans don’t have to worry about traffic. It is very rare for people to have their own car and the roads are often empty. So much so, that in Pyongyang and other cities around the country, you can see people walking in the street.
Wide boulevards meant for car traffic have become pedestrian walkways because the people know there will never be any cars driving down them.
All for show
The North Korean tour guides love to show off the capital city of Pyongyang to visitors. The city looks modern and new and is full of shiny high-rise buildings that could fit in anywhere in the world, including Japan, China and even European capitals! Unfortunately, these buildings are mostly just for show.
Many of them are unfinished inside or empty and unused. Even the finished buildings do not have electricity. I’m sure it’s not easy getting to the top floors of those towers without a working elevator.
Central Government Building
This photo of the Central Government Building in Pyongyang reveals many interesting things about the country. First of all, it provides a glance of normal government bureaucrats walking around and going about their daily lives.
Secondly, the roads are clearly empty of cars and the people are walking on them freely with no fear that they will face oncoming traffic. Thirdly, it is an act of bravery by the photographer as taking a picture of this building is a dangerous offense. One that can lead to arrest for espionage and possible execution.
Rural train station
As you can see in this picture of villagers waiting by the side of the tracks, this is what a train station looks like in rural North Korea. Literally a post with holes and a dirt walkway leading to the tracks from the village.
Since you need a hard to get government permit to travel, people rarely leave their own home villages. Therefore, it is not unreasonable that not much infrastructure for traveling outside the North Korean capital Pyongyang exists.