In this article, you will see some intriguing, documented pictures of North Korea depicting life in the mysterious country. How did we get a hand on these North Korea pictures, you ask? Let us tell you the story.

Photographer Eric Lafforgue is one of the very lucky few who have had a chance to see what North Korea is really like. “Since 2008, I have ventured to North Korea six times,” he said. “Thanks to digital memory cards, I could save photos of North Korea that I was forbidden to take or was told to delete by the minders.”

He’s actually a regular Bored Panda user who is responsible for some of the most popular posts on our website, for example, Highway To Yell In North Korea Which I Captured During The Last Trip and I Introduced Polaroid To North Korea, And It Made People Open Up And Tell Their Stories.

Is Taking Pictures of North Korea Illegal?

You can take North Korea images only of the things permitted by the government. There are restrictions on particular things that you can’t photograph. Let us dive deep into Eric’s story and understand through his experience what is allowed to be photographed and what is banned.

Lafforgue wasn’t interested in the carefully orchestrated tourist trips to the mysterious country, revealing only fake North Korean facts. He wanted to go beyond that, to catch a domestic glimpse of the land and people that aren’t under the regime’s complete control. 

“I was treated like any other tourist,” Eric told Bored Panda. “They didn’t allow me to take pictures of the police, the army, etc. But I could take so many with a 300mm zoom lens and a seat in the back of the bus.” 

He shot thousands of pictures, showing citizens and government officials going about their everyday lives. “As soon as they were opening a new area to visit, I tried to go and see it, documenting the life in North Korea.”

What Happens If You Take a Photo of North Korea?

If the North Korean government finds out that you have taken photos of North Korea illegally or captured some things that are restricted from photographing, things might go wrong for you. Let us see what happened with Eric Lafforgue.

After Lafforgue returned from his 6th trip to North Korea in 2012, the government discovered him sharing secretly taken North Korea images online. They demanded he take down the images. 

“I refused as I showed all the aspects of the Hermit Kingdom: the good and the bad. Just like I do with any country I visit. I refused to make an exception for North Korea, and they didn’t like this.” Soon, the regime banned Lafforgue from crossing its border ever again.

“During homestay meals in the countryside, I could speak with the locals for hours, thanks to my guides. They told me so much about how they live, what they dream of, and so on. The main thing to know is that North Koreans are warm people, very curious about the visitors, and very generous, even though most of them own nearly nothing.”

Scroll down to see Eric’s North Korea pictures for yourself.

Updated: Our video team has gathered more information on those images and contacted Eric for additional footage. Check our video for more information.

More info: ericlafforgue.com | Instagram