There is life... in North Korea

The general idea of North Korea in most people's mind is that North Korea is a barren wasteland whose population is suppressed by the scary Kim Il Sung. Maybe the barren wasteland concept is too harsh. In other words, there seems to be little sign of daily life there. It feels as if people are locked in their houses. Freedom and expression of self is seen as action against the government, and you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of the North Korean government.
Throughout all these state problems and isolation from the world, normal life persists in North Korea. I found an interesting slideshow of images of North Korean life taken by David Guttenfelder for the New York Times.


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/09/world/asia/20111109-NKOREA-GOBIG.html?ref=asia#1


What really surprised me is that if you were to tour North Korea, pre-bookings are mandatory. In addition, once you are actually there, you will always be accompanied by one or two official tour guides who will show you to selected attractions and tell you all you need to know, provided that it does not diminish their ruler's image.


Also, there is a book that tells of the normal lives of people living in North Korea. Written by Barbara Demick, Nothing to Envy seems to be about normal daily life that still persists in the country despite the strictly sanctioned government and the stereotyped image of troubled North Korean. I have not read it yet, but it seems to be an engrossing and interesting read for all those interested in East Asian studies or anything about Korea (both South and North).