This is one of the rural parts of North Korea. The second largest city, Hamhung, is made of hectares of underdeveloped land, in opposite to Pyongyang. Even the best roads can still be described as rough, potholed, and unmaintained. People living in the rural areas experience the greatest of the economic repercussions among all. They can be seen as tirelessly carrying sacks up and down unpaved roads without the right modes of transportation. Underage workers are even forced to work due to poverty.

Korea (left) contrasts China (right)

This stark difference between North Korea and China is a good way to differentiate how both countries differ in terms of governance. The Sino-Korea Friendship Bridge, however, links Dandong, China with North Korea. According to Wikipedia’s North Korea: Trade and Contact, its border with China has been described as North Korea’s “lifeline to the outside world”. Violators put themselves at considerable danger to acquire imported products such as phones.