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North Korea

Japanese photographer Hiroji Kubota captures images of North Korea during the late 1970s and 80s under Kim Il-sung’s rule when the country was plunged into economic turmoil

Hiroji Kubota

Hiroji Kubota Local government and party officials paying respects to a statue of Kim II Sung as a young military leader at Mt. Paekdu. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota The Korean Revolutionary Museum. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota Children at Pyongyang Student and Children's Palace. Pyongyang, Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota Children at a model kindergarden. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1979. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota Barber shop for more privileged citizens. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1981. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota Construction workers. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1981. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota Chongjin City, North Korea. 1981. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota "Children's Union" celebration for Kim Il Sung's birthday. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1987. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota A military parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota A small steel mill. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota Children on a resort beach. Wonsan City, North Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota A group of youth on their way to visit the sites for Kim Il sung's anti-Japan guerilla activities near Mt. Paekdu. Changbaishan, North Korea. 1983. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota At a Pyongyang model maternity hospital. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1981. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
Hiroji Kubota A countryside town. Pyongyang, North Korea. 1982. © Hiroji Kubota | Magnum Photos
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