Images of North Korea - a new angle

There is much about North Korea that the outside world does not know, largely because the country tightly controls outsiders' access.

But for the few who have had the chance to set foot in North Korea, this closed country has many interesting and beautiful things.

Photo: National Geographic

Pyongyang is beautiful from above

Aram Pan from Singapore filmed a clip of the North Korean capital as he flew a Piper Matrix PA-46 around Pyongyang. Pan is part of DPRK360, a project that promotes Pyongyang through images and documentary footage. Pan's work is authorized by the North Korean government.

The clip shows colorful skyscrapers as well as modern bridges, overpasses, and highways.

Photo: National Geographic

Another area of ​​the city is a gentle rolling hills with small houses built in neat rows. This area is just outside the city. However, there is not a single person or vehicle on the sidewalk.

The military is a part of people's lives.

Photo: National Geographic

“You see them everywhere. They not only protect the country, but they are part of North Korea's identity,” said National Geographic photographer David Guttenfelder.

Soldiers are also involved in development and infrastructure projects.

Pyongyang holds many beauties

Photo: National Geographic

The usual sight at bus stops is not graffiti like in many big cities around the world, but paintings or photographs of city scenes or landmarks, often very beautiful.

Buses are a popular form of public transport in Pyongyang, a city of about 3 million people. Private cars are rare.

Subway in Pyongyang

Photo: National Geographic

Initially, only two stations of the metro system were open to tourists, leading many to believe that they were built for propaganda purposes. By the end of 2015, Pyongyang had opened all 17 stations to tourists.

Melody Rowell writes in a National Geographic article that the transit line under the city's main business district is equipped with a loudspeaker system that plays patriotic songs.

The stations pass through thick steel gates. Each is named not after a place but a common word, and some feature gilded statues of the late leader Kim Il-sung, detailed mosaic murals and fancy lamps.

According to Vietnamnet.vn