Images like this one -- which demonstrates precision choreography at the Arirang Mass Games held in the capital of Pyongyang -- are often the only views to be had of the secretive state. Held several times a year, the games' colorful enormity makes them a popular attraction for visitors.
Mass appeal —
Images like this one -- which demonstrates precision choreography at the Arirang Mass Games held in the capital of Pyongyang -- are often the only views to be had of the secretive state. Held several times a year, the games' colorful enormity makes them a popular attraction for visitors.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
They're not just honored at the games. Images and massive statues of former leaders Kim Il Sung and son Kim Jong Il dominate North Korea.
Land of Kim —
They're not just honored at the games. Images and massive statues of former leaders Kim Il Sung and son Kim Jong Il dominate North Korea.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
My visit to North Korea coincided with hot summer weather. Here, people queue in front of an ice cream vendor in Pyongyang. The ice cream consists of only water, milk and sugar, but demand was high on that warm day. Behind the stall, a propaganda poster hangs on the window.
Hot demand —
My visit to North Korea coincided with hot summer weather. Here, people queue in front of an ice cream vendor in Pyongyang. The ice cream consists of only water, milk and sugar, but demand was high on that warm day. Behind the stall, a propaganda poster hangs on the window.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
An aerial view of part of Pyongyang. I found North Korean architecture to be simple and unremarkable. The majority of buildings are residential houses of a few stories. After dusk, much of the city is hidden in the dark, adding to the feeling of it being something of a ghost town.
Something of a ghost town —
An aerial view of part of Pyongyang. I found North Korean architecture to be simple and unremarkable. The majority of buildings are residential houses of a few stories. After dusk, much of the city is hidden in the dark, adding to the feeling of it being something of a ghost town.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
Capturing mundane scenes of daily life was extraordinary for me. Here, as commuters wait for a train at one of Pyongyang's underground metro stations, they pass the time by reading the latest newspapers displayed at various locations on the platforms.
Staying informed —
Capturing mundane scenes of daily life was extraordinary for me. Here, as commuters wait for a train at one of Pyongyang's underground metro stations, they pass the time by reading the latest newspapers displayed at various locations on the platforms.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
Three North Koreans ride a metro train in Pyongyang. The carriages were purchased from Germany in 1998. Not visible in this image, inside of each carriage hang small pictures of deceased leaders, neatly framed behind glass.
Underground journey —
Three North Koreans ride a metro train in Pyongyang. The carriages were purchased from Germany in 1998. Not visible in this image, inside of each carriage hang small pictures of deceased leaders, neatly framed behind glass.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
A metro guard poses in front of a propaganda mosaic inside one of the city's metro stations. Platform guards make sure metro traffic runs smoothly, warn people not to stand too close to the tracks and signal to train conductors when it's clear for departure.
Mind the gap —
A metro guard poses in front of a propaganda mosaic inside one of the city's metro stations. Platform guards make sure metro traffic runs smoothly, warn people not to stand too close to the tracks and signal to train conductors when it's clear for departure.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
At Mangyongdae School Children's Palace in Pyongyang, privileged children from 6 to 17 years can learn foreign languages, how to play an instrument or participate in dance and gymnastic courses. Others take art classes or, like the boy in the picture, learn calligraphy.
Calligraphy class —
At Mangyongdae School Children's Palace in Pyongyang, privileged children from 6 to 17 years can learn foreign languages, how to play an instrument or participate in dance and gymnastic courses. Others take art classes or, like the boy in the picture, learn calligraphy.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
A North Korean girl stands onstage at Mangyongdae School Children's Palace during a showcase of student talents.
Talent show —
A North Korean girl stands onstage at Mangyongdae School Children's Palace during a showcase of student talents.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
Intranet terminals are in heavy use inside Pyongyang's Grand People's Study Hall. The Study Hall allows citizens to take foreign language, computer skills and other courses.
Study Hall —
Intranet terminals are in heavy use inside Pyongyang's Grand People's Study Hall. The Study Hall allows citizens to take foreign language, computer skills and other courses.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
The Study Hall also offers a limited selection of carefully chosen music videos, audio cassettes and CDs. Here a North Korean soldier listens to an opera performance.
Repeat performance —
The Study Hall also offers a limited selection of carefully chosen music videos, audio cassettes and CDs. Here a North Korean soldier listens to an opera performance.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
A group enjoys a ride on one of the many attractions at a funfair in Pyongyang. The city hosts new funfairs and amusement parks every night. North Koreans who can't afford the rides come just to watch.
Fun park —
A group enjoys a ride on one of the many attractions at a funfair in Pyongyang. The city hosts new funfairs and amusement parks every night. North Koreans who can't afford the rides come just to watch.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
Western-style restaurants have been slowly emerging in Pyongyang, set up as joint ventures with the help of foreign investors. I was told there are only two pizza restaurants in the city. Because the majority of North Koreans can't afford to eat in Western restaurants, most customers are tourists, business people or embassy staff.
Piece of the pie —
Western-style restaurants have been slowly emerging in Pyongyang, set up as joint ventures with the help of foreign investors. I was told there are only two pizza restaurants in the city. Because the majority of North Koreans can't afford to eat in Western restaurants, most customers are tourists, business people or embassy staff.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
Part of my trip took in Wonsan, a coastal city about 200 kilometers east of Pyongyang. En route, we stopped at the Chonsam Cooperative Farm, where two female peasants were tending to an ox cart. Outside of Pyongyang, I found poor infrastructure, badly maintained roads and unfinished buildings a common sight.
A harsher life —
Part of my trip took in Wonsan, a coastal city about 200 kilometers east of Pyongyang. En route, we stopped at the Chonsam Cooperative Farm, where two female peasants were tending to an ox cart. Outside of Pyongyang, I found poor infrastructure, badly maintained roads and unfinished buildings a common sight.
Olaf Schuelke/CNN
Wonsan is a popular destination for the few North Koreans who can afford vacations. People sunbathe, swim or rent small boats. This photo might have been taken at any number of beaches in Asia. Except that here, as on my entire trip, I was under the watchful eyes of my North Korean guards or "guides."
Wonsan beach —
Wonsan is a popular destination for the few North Koreans who can afford vacations. People sunbathe, swim or rent small boats. This photo might have been taken at any number of beaches in Asia. Except that here, as on my entire trip, I was under the watchful eyes of my North Korean guards or "guides."
Olaf Schuelke/CNN