Alternate Reality

Pyongyang, North Korea: Students wear virtual reality goggles during a science class at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST). Photo: Dita Alangkara/AP.

White Lilac

North Korea’s women’s firsts Ri Sol-ju (Lilac) and Kim Yo-jong (White) attending the Chinese ballet 红色娘子军 (Red Detachment of Women) performance at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea on April 17, 2018. Photos: Newsis.

A Night at the Ballet

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un elevated his wife Ri Sol-ju to the status of “First Lady”, a move that analysts say will signal a deep change in North Korean society’s power balance.

North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) referred to Ri Sol-ju as the “respected First Lady” in its report on her weekend attendance of a Chinese ballet performance in Pyongyang, the title being a step up from the usual “comrade” that she had previously been afforded.

All the world’s a stage

The above picture, released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 2, 2018 and taken on April 1, 2018 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre left) speaking to South Korean performers as his wife Ri Sol-ju (far left) and South Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan (centre right) look on, after a concert by South Korean musicians at the 1,500-seat East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: AFP/KCNA via KNS.

Kim Jong-un is the first North Korean leader to publicly attend a performance by South Korean artists in Pyongyang and was “particularly interested” in Red Velvet, a K-pop girl band. Photos: AFP/KCNA via KNS.

And finally, here are Kim Jong-un (back, centre) and his wife Ri Sol-ju (second row, sixth from left) posing with South Korean musicians after their performance in the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: AFP/KCNA via KNS/Getty Images.

Splitting Hairs

A woman in Pyongyang, North Korea, having her hair styled by a female hairdresser. Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters.

Crossroads

A signpost shows the distance to Pyongyang (평양), North Korea from the Imjingak peace park in the border city of Paju (파주시), South Korea near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas. Photo: AFP/Jung Yeon-Je.

One Only Medal

Swimmer at the Munsu Water Park (문수물공원) in Pyongyang (평양시), North Korea. Photo: Ed Jones/AFP.

The Importance of Not Being Arcovazzi

• Justin McCurry, Tom Phillips and Julian Borger, China urges North Korea and U.S. to step back from brink of war, The Guardian, April 14, 2017

Pyongyang, North Korea: People travel on a train, stopping at a station visited by foreign reporters. Photo: Damir Sagolj/Reuters.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

• Isaac Stone Fish, Let's stop calling North Korea “crazy” and understand their motives, The Guardian, April 13, 2017

Pyongyang, North Korea: Members of a propaganda troupe perform in a public square. Photo: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images.

Sunny Wind

A mass gymnastics and artistic performance in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: Alamy.

Suddenly, Last Winter

After the first snowfall in the capital, three elderly women support each other as they walk down a snow covered footpath which takes them over the Pothong River, the second largest river in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: Wong Maye-E/AP.

 

主体思想

The Juche Tower (more formally, Tower of the Juche Idea), one of Pyongyang’s best-known landmarks, viewed from the river. Photo: Tania Branigan/The Guardian.

The Woman Who Stops Traffic

A traffic lady directs cars in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: Dan Chung/The Guardian.

The Terminal

People attend the opening ceremony for the newly built terminal of Pyongyang International Airport in this undated picture released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 1, 2015. Reuters/KCNA.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was once unhappy with its design, and his displeasure allegedly led to the execution of its principal designer last year, but despite all hurdles, the country’s new airport terminal in Pyongyang is now open for public. The terminal 2 of Pyongyang International Airport, which is reserved for international civilian flights, was inaugurated on Wednesday, state media reported. [Read more].

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiles next to his wife Ri Sol Ju as he gives field guidance at the new terminal of Pyongyang International Airport in this undated photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on June 25, 2015. Reuters/KCNA.

• Kukil Bora, North Korea Opens New Pyongyang Airport Terminal Whose Design Once Irked Kim Jong Un, International Business Time, July 2, 2015

教育 (Educazione)

Una vigilessa a Pyongyang (Repubblica Popolare Democratica di Corea)