Rare image of life in the Korean coastal area

Contrary to the bustling scene in the capital of Pyongyang, the coastal region of Korea is where people cycle on dusty roads, with the fields wilting after harvest.

At the end of November, an AFP reporter for the first time was allowed by the Korean government to move to the coastal region of the country to record images.AP and AFP are the only Western news agencies with offices in Pyongyang with strict control from the government.Normally, reporters are allowed to leave Pyongyang and take photos in the summer, when the clear blue sky and golden rice fields in the joy of the people.

This reporter moved to Wonsan, Hamhung and Chongjin before heading to the border area with China.People in these provinces wear dark clothes and mostly travel by bicycle.

Contrary to the image of dense tall buildings in the capital of Pyongyang, the scenery in the North Korean coast is more peaceful and somewhat dull.At the end of the harvest, people use buffaloes and cows to take straw and go home, on dusty roads.

Cheerful posters appear everywhere.The Korean economy is largely dependent on the mining industry and is struggling because sanctions from countries revolve around Pyongyang's nuclear program and missile development.However, statistics from South Korea show that the Korean economy still grew by 1-5% in 2016.

Bicycles are the main means of transportation for most people.In Chongjin City, which used to be an industrial center and the third largest city of the country, cars appear more often.

On November 29, the North launched missiles after more than two months of "silent silence" and confirmed that the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was capable of attacking the US capital of Washington DC.While the people in Pyongyang celebrated the event with busy fireworks and arts performances, people in the coastal area received information more quietly.

Chongjin is a small fishing village.In 1908, Japanese people opened a trading port in the village to easily access North Korean and Northeastern Chinese resources.In 2003, a commercial port was built by the Korean government.China and Russia also opened their consulates in Chongjin.

Chongjin city is only 80km from the Chinese border and is the second largest consumer of goods after Pyongyang.In Chongjin, it is easy to see all kinds of Chinese goods sold.Meanwhile, Sino-Korean relations are in a state of stress.On November 24, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the temporary closure of the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge in Dandong, Liaoning Province for maintenance.The 944 m bridge connecting Korea's Sinuiju light industrial center with Dan Dong is considered Pyongyang's "economic lifeline" with 80% of bilateral trade flows.