Photographer Shows Differences Between North and South Korea

In the aftermath of WWII, many things were changing. New lines were being drawn, and one of those lines split the Korean peninsula in two. The world would be left with North Korea and South Korea. The relations between the two nations were hostile for over 70 years, but recently some light has shone through the DMZ. However, even if they do reunite, the two cultures will need some time to congeal together, as their ways of life and culture are very different. Check out these 40 images that show just how different the two countries truly are.

Fun in the Sun

In those hot days of summer, there are few things better than hitting a waterpark with your friends and family. Both North and South Koreans have access to water parks for just this reason.

As with most things, the way they head out to the pools is vastly different, though. Typically, North Korea is a little more traditional and conservative, while South Korea looks very Western in the way they suit up for the park.

Skyline

There are a lot of differences between North and South Korea, even when you look at the skyline of both the country’s capitals. The top is from Pyongyang, and though there is a tall skyscraper-like building, they are nowhere near as modern as the city of Seoul.

On top of that, you can see the pollution very clearly in the North Korean capital, which is odd, as there are fewer cars!

Airlines/Airport

There is only one airline in North Korea, and it is rated as one of the worst airlines in the world. On the flip side, South Korea has a multitude of carriers, plus those of other countries, as well.

Another difference is that there are very few flights into North Korea, whereas South Korea has a wide range of flight options. This is because of its place in the world economy and its efforts to improve tourism.

Lifeguards

Both countries make their lifeguards dress in a uniform. The difference comes out in both functionality and formality. The North Korean lifeguard pictured here looks more like a flight attendant than someone who is going to jump in the water and save you.

The South Korean lifeguard is a little more properly dressed for the task at hand. Plus, he is wearing some sort of first aid kit. Both are probably skilled; one just looks more ready, that’s all.