Nothing was easy in North Korea. Whether it was taking notes or taking photos there were rules to be observed. I learned to my cost that the statues of the Great Leaders could only be photographed in their entirety, and never from behind. But the more we got to know our minders the more relaxed they became with us and the resulting photos, all taken by myself and the crew, give a rare and unusual glimpse of life away from the eyes of the world.
North Korea Journal
Mansu Hill Grand Monument, Pyongyang, North Korea
Sculpture portraying the economic blessings of the Kim dynasty. Note woman carrying a television.
Arch of Reunification, South of Pyongyang, North Korea
The colossal Reunification Arch over the Reunification Highway outside Pyongyang.
Mansu Hill Grand Monument, Pyongyang, North Korea
Massive procession of the North Korean people in a sculpture on Mansudae Hill.
North Korea
May Day public holiday. Picnics in the park.
North Korea
Poster near the Demilitarised Zone salutes 'One Korea!'.
North Korea
With Mrs Kim Hyang Li, farmer, on my 75th birthday.
Kaesong, North Korea
In Kaesong, one of the tiny number of old buidings to have survived the bombing of the DPRK in the 1950’s.
Wonsan, North Korea
Wonsan, early morning. Women dance to patriotic music to encourage the workforce.
Mount Kumgang National Park, North Korea
Trekking in the Mount Kumgang National Park.
North Korea
Heroic memorial to Kim Jong Il, his wife and son, in the days when they fought the Japanese invaders.
North Korea
Mount Paektu, the sacred mountain, is never very far away.
While every effort has been made to trace copyright holders of content included within this gallery, if any have inadvertently been overlooked, themichaelpalin.com will be pleased to acknowledge them.