A stern looking North Korean guard by the Chinese border customs office. This image was deleted by North Korean officials.
Photos North Korea didn't want you to see —
A stern looking North Korean guard by the Chinese border customs office. This image was deleted by North Korean officials.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Writer Johan Nylander and his guide, Ko Chang Ho, watch as a North Korean guard deletes 90 photos deemed unacceptable. Nylander was able to recover the photos with the help of an IT specialist -- the images that follow are an edited selection.
Deleting the offensive photos —
Writer Johan Nylander and his guide, Ko Chang Ho, watch as a North Korean guard deletes 90 photos deemed unacceptable. Nylander was able to recover the photos with the help of an IT specialist -- the images that follow are an edited selection.
Photo courtesy of Alf Brodin
This propaganda monument of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il by a countryside road, not far from the border to China, was deleted by authorities. North Korea required images of leaders be full body shots.
Hello, Dear Leader —
This propaganda monument of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il by a countryside road, not far from the border to China, was deleted by authorities. North Korea required images of leaders be full body shots.
Johan Nylander/CNN
People standing by the train track, while a guard is monitoring the bike race.
Waiting for a train —
People standing by the train track, while a guard is monitoring the bike race.
Johan Nylander/CNN
In the city of Rason, people are leaning out of windows to get a glimpse of the Western cyclists.
Watching the race —
In the city of Rason, people are leaning out of windows to get a glimpse of the Western cyclists.
Johan Nylander/CNN
A woman and a man walking by the side of the road lined with cornfields.
Pedestrian peasants —
A woman and a man walking by the side of the road lined with cornfields.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Villagers waving by the race path.
Village life —
Villagers waving by the race path.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Guards and custom officials by the border to China.
Heavy security —
Guards and custom officials by the border to China.
Johan Nylander/CNN
By the border checkpoint next to the Tumen River, North Korean customs officials can play volleyball. Officials prohibited any photos of North Korean military bases.
Secret volleyball court? —
By the border checkpoint next to the Tumen River, North Korean customs officials can play volleyball. Officials prohibited any photos of North Korean military bases.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Peasants and villagers standing by the road to look at the Western cyclists
Photos North Korea didn't want you to see —
Peasants and villagers standing by the road to look at the Western cyclists
Johan Nylander/CNN
Guard keeping an eye on the bikers next to a small village.
Keeping watch —
Guard keeping an eye on the bikers next to a small village.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Kids playing outside village houses.
Photos North Korea didn't want you to see —
Kids playing outside village houses.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Spectators waiting for the bikers to reach the finish line. In the background the "Great" and "Dear Leaders" Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong-Il.
Waiting for the cyclists —
Spectators waiting for the bikers to reach the finish line. In the background the "Great" and "Dear Leaders" Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong-Il.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Huge crowds -- some of whom standing on their own bikes -- as they await cyclists by the race finish line in Rason.
Standing on bikes to see cyclists —
Huge crowds -- some of whom standing on their own bikes -- as they await cyclists by the race finish line in Rason.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Custom official and tourist bureau guide checking foreigners' passports.
Document check —
Custom official and tourist bureau guide checking foreigners' passports.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Guides from the local tourist bureau handing out water bottles to bikers, monitored by a guard in the background.
Water checkpoint —
Guides from the local tourist bureau handing out water bottles to bikers, monitored by a guard in the background.
Johan Nylander/CNN
Journalist Johan Nylander and his North Korean guide, Ko Chang Ho. <em>EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was not among those deleted by North Korean officials. </em>
Writer and his minder —
Journalist Johan Nylander and his North Korean guide, Ko Chang Ho. EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was not among those deleted by North Korean officials.
Johan Nylander/CNN