North Korea’s Grocery Aisles

In 2012, photographer Michal Huniewicz captured a scene that felt eerily unfamiliar to the outside world. It was a glimpse into a North Korean supermarket, a place shrouded in silence and desolation. Under the authoritarian regime of North Korea, photography without government permission is strictly prohibited, making this covertly taken photo all the more remarkable.

The image reveals rows of empty shelves, a stark reminder of the daily deprivation endured by many North Koreans. In a nation isolated from the global community, necessities can be scarce. Michal’s daring snapshot offers a rare perspective, shedding light on the challenges faced by ordinary citizens in a reclusive and tightly controlled society.