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Last year, I travelled to North Korea to write and photograph a feature for GQ Magazine in Australia.

It was the most fascinating and depressing week of my life. These photos are a glimpse of the carefully choreographed tour that visitors are allowed to go on. It's a facade, for sure, but there are little moments of humanity that peek through.

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#2

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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adambaidawi avatar
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here's more context around the photos: http://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film+tv/that+time+we+went+to+north+korea,44899

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#5

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not a fan of ornate things as a rule, but that's one of the most gorgeous buildings I've ever seen.

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#11

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Koko Sempai
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the sound of these instruments! I went to see a Japanese performance before, and it was so good!

#12

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Mirriam Banda
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if they will ever manage to fully finish and open that hotel (Ryugyong Hotel).

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#15

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Olivia W
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because its not an actual newspaper it's for tourists to see how "great" their country is.

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David
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm probably totally wrong with this, but isn't is possible that this is too white to be regular recycled paper for mass produced newspapers, meaning it's a low-volume thing for tourists?

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Diana Burolo
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

where i come from - croatia - you can buy foreign newspapers and on national tv and radio broadcast you can hear daily news in english i think all media is for some kind of propaganda... i don't think people from western countries are less brainwashed by media than n. koreans.

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Ymme Cruijff
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I believe they are. In western countries you're allowed to start your own newspaper en you are protected from interference from the government by civil rights, mostly laid down in constitutions. Although there are state run media, you can come by independent news from (many) different sources. I don't think North Koreans have that luxury...

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#16

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Apollo
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good to see there is still the freedom of expression in this beautiful ancient art. Unless she is writing Kim Jong-Un's name...

#17

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Dylan Barsby
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always loathed all the litter and obvious pollution around me - in the streets etc. and have always enjoyed a 'clean' environment... but this is practically sterile. I'm surprised to find that I dislike it.

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#18

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Holly Hofmann
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like she was caught mid-Michael Jackson dance routine.

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I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Kira Leseman
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the middle statue depicting? A bayonet with a flag around it maybe?

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I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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#31

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Jumailiana Iwan
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i got this pic from the south side....... that big building with horn like roof is where the south house north koreans defectors , where the south will screen and check whether the defectors are real or spies trying to inflitrate

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#32

I'm A Freelance Photographer That Went To North Korea. Here's What I Saw

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Claire Von Hirdler
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

looks like some of these pics were taken through glass...there's the slight reflection. maybe a car tour?

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