According to Lafforgue, poverty wasn’t the only economic strata off limits.
He explained, “Showing poverty is forbidden, but displaying wealth is also a big taboo in North Korea. In a park on a Sunday afternoon, I found this car that belongs to one of Pyongyang’s elite. The owners were having a BBQ.”
Smoke Break
![[object Object]](http://ortimoncharley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-120400452-1-1.jpg)
While taking any pictures of the military is off limits, it is particularly frowned-upon to document soldiers enjoying any type of leisure time.
These two soldiers, caught having a smoke, betray the tight, faceless images of the North Korean military that the country’s propaganda tries to spread.
Supermarket
![[object Object]](http://ortimoncharley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-618264460-1-1.jpg)
In most areas of the world, a trip to the supermarket is a throwaway trip for many. However, like many things, it’s totally different in North Korea.
As Lafforgue explains, “You can find all kinds of food and drink in Pyongyang’s two supermarkets where things are sold in both euros and wins. They even have Evian water. Only the elite can shop there.”
Unsafe Working Conditions
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While the above scene may look to the naked eye like a Hollywood stunt or highly choreographed Cirque du Soleli routine, it’s actually a real0life picture of the unsafe working conditions with which North Korean workers deal.
Delphinium
![[object Object]](http://ortimoncharley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-618261100-nk10-1-1.jpg)
North Korea does have amusement parks and entertainment that would be recognizable to Western audiences.
For example, this Delphinium allows citizens to get up close and personal with sea creatures. They’re even allowed to take photos of the animals, though not the soldiers who make up most of the crowd.
Rural Transportation
![[object Object]](http://ortimoncharley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-120401765-1-1.jpg)
Due to the lack of access to cars and relatively little public transportation, many North Koreans have to find different ways to travel.
For example, this Pyongyang resident has found a low-tech way to get around. As an added benefit, traveling like this often help one avoid government checkpoints.
Studying
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In this shot, Eric Lafforgue captured a student studying on a computer at Pyongyang’s Studies Palace.
However, learning and expanding one’s mind only allow one to go so far; the twin paintings above looking over everyone serve as a reminder of this.
Rest
![[object Object]](http://ortimoncharley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-618263656-1-1.jpg)
In this heartbreaking shot, a group of women rest on the side of the road after a long day’s work.
The looks of exhaustion and weariness on their faces transcend any language, political, or national barrier.
Just an Average Shopper
![[object Object]](http://ortimoncharley.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Shopping-North-Korea-Reddit__f6cf883a1f-1-1.jpg)
This candid photo was actually taken by redditor u/M1ckey, who stated that on their trip to North Korea they were required to have two guides at all times – one in front of them and one behind. However, when both guards stopped paying attention for a brief minute, u/M1ckey was able to run off for about 15 seconds to snap this photo of a North Korean woman making a purchase at an average shop that foreigners aren’t supposed to see.