A battered white pickup truck carries North Korean soldiers along a dusty road. Again, random photos of soldiers are strictly prohibited and this unsightly view of North Korea’s countryside is entirely illegal. CNN described that one of the biggest complaints among tourists visiting North Korea is their “inability to get out and explore”. Every tour is carefully choreographed and only endorsed by the state-run Korea International Travel Company. No wonder you only find seemingly ordinary photos such as this.

In rural parts of North Korea, miles of uninterrupted green fields can be seen. Farming remains key for survival. Aside from evidence of abject poverty, many people in the country still lack access to better technology and enough resources to pursue progress and development.