Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
The beach town you'll probably never see: Wonsan, North Korea
Umbrellas are firmly planted in the sand, and children splash through the water in pursuit of a ball or each other. The scene is exactly what you'd see on either U.S. coast, or at any number of beaches around the world. And, because access is free, all walks of life can be found lounging on the sand, dipping a toe or simply enjoying each other's company. Yet, this isn't just any beach – it's one of the toughest in the world to reach.
The seaside community of Wonsan affords a bit of relief from what can be a difficult life in North Korea. Food isn't always easy to come by, and low pay leads to little disposable income – not that everyone would have ample opportunity to use it. None of this prevents people from spending some of their time at the beach, however, a true equalizer in a political environment that seeks exactly that goal (regardless of whether it attains it ... or even truly pursues it).
Anyone who's taken the family to the beach here in the United States, doubtless, knows that snacks can be a bit pricey – and it usually makes sense to bring your own food. Well, it's time to stop complaining! Compared to the costs in North Korea, you have it easy. Back in Pyongyang, where the sartorial freedom of the beach is not permitted, you'll drop £4 on a pizza, which is equivalent to three months' salary for the average person in this "workers' paradise."
Check out the original coverage in the Mirror for a glimpse into daily life in North Korea (through authorized photos).
[photo by stngiam via Flickr]
Filed under: Asia, North Korea
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cqdeed Oct 6th 2010 2:33PM
Picture does not show any beach, any people, or pizza and there is nothing to indicate it is even in North Korea. What is its relevance to the story.
Sal Oct 6th 2010 3:20PM
The reason you do not see people, pizza or the beach is the GOVERNMENT controls the PRESS just like OBAMA is doing here. North Korea doesn't have a FOX NEWS.
charlie Oct 6th 2010 8:09PM
salthat drum you are beating on is getting tiresome. Fox news is THE worst news outlet in the United States. When they cannot get a real story they simply make one up. Try watching real news and stop believing the worst news on television.
Charles Bosworth Oct 6th 2010 4:33PM
Obama doesn't control any of those things. Congress approves the budget and expenditures. When are you idiots going to leave it alone. Oh I forgot you don't have the intelligence to do that
gutz54 Oct 6th 2010 4:40PM
Poor bastards-- were is Dear leader??? Pizza costs 3 mos wages?? better eat pizza very slowly
gutz54 Oct 6th 2010 4:42PM
Lita -- you are calling the other two idiots?? Who cares what toppigs are on there piuzza???
Ed Oct 6th 2010 6:58PM
People lets not be slow here. Its North Korea if anyone has even seen Lennigrad or any other Russian coastal city it looks exactly the same. Its one of the trends of Communist building keep everything the same. Traditionaly complaining about the goverment and taxes is a regular FREEDOM in America but theres a point that we never crossed in talking about the President. Why all a sudden do we feel that we can call him whatever vile, henious, or absurd thing we feel like? President Obama is our current President and won the election I think some civility and respect should be granted due to the office he holds. If you don't like the policies, read up on them and form your own opinion don't listen to the guy with the bullhorn and low IQ for your political talking points they just might be wrong.
lilgtogirl Oct 6th 2010 7:38PM
LOL, and how stupid are you that you cannot think of any other word than "idiot?" You made me laugh. If you are going to try to come up with a retort to a comment, please do the rest of us a favor by using a thesaurus if you lack the skills to be witty.
Squiggles Oct 6th 2010 8:10PM
I doubt that the average North Korean has ever tasted a pizza, let alone knows what it is. It's not like their government lets them travel the world much. So...who then eats any pizza? My guess is high-ranking party officials and their families. They'd be the only ones who could even afford such an "exotic" treat.
Jazz Oct 6th 2010 8:40PM
Dear Charles , I know the truth is hard to swallow. But Fox is the only news source you can get the truth about whats going on in this country.