PHOTO ESSAY Impressions from the DPRK

I believe my desire to visit twice in 2019 the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is well summarised by the quote of Japanese Magnum photographer Hiroji Kubota: “Study the works of the greatest photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Andre Kertesz.

- Alain Schneuwly

North Korea

Try to travel to many parts of the world and understand what a diverse world we live in.” Hiroji was in North Korea in 1986. So, in February 2019, a week before the second Trump–Kim summit in Hanoi, I travelled to North Korea with Koryo Tours, in and around Pyongyang for one week.

I decided to go back in November 2019 for one week, this time with Choson Exchange, a Singapore–based social nonprofit organisation focused on economic policy, business, and legal training for young North Koreans.

Beyond the prospects of a nuclear confrontation between the United States and the most hermetic power on the globe, I wanted to document what life is like for its citizens, away from the propaganda images we are used to seeing.

Probably not all people have access to such sporting and events facilities, but I was nevertheless impressed by their quality and cleanliness.

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