The photos N. Korea banned
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.
The photos N. Korea banned
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.
The photos N. Korea banned
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.
The photos N. Korea banned
Waiting for a train – People standing by the train track, while a guard is monitoring the bike race.
The photos N. Korea banned
Watching the race – In the city of Rason, people are leaning out of windows to get a glimpse of the Western cyclists.
The photos N. Korea banned
Pedestrian peasants – A woman and a man walking by the side of the road lined with cornfields.
The photos N. Korea banned
Village life – Villagers waving by the race path.
The photos N. Korea banned
Heavy security – Guards and custom officials by the border to China.
The photos N. Korea banned
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.
The photos N. Korea banned
Photos North Korea didn't want you to see – Peasants and villagers standing by the road to look at the Western cyclists
The photos N. Korea banned
Keeping watch – Guard keeping an eye on the bikers next to a small village.
The photos N. Korea banned
Photos North Korea didn't want you to see – Kids playing outside village houses.
The photos N. Korea banned
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.
The photos N. Korea banned
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.
The photos N. Korea banned
Document check – Custom official and tourist bureau guide checking foreigners' passports.
The photos N. Korea banned
Water checkpoint – Guides from the local tourist bureau handing out water bottles to bikers, monitored by a guard in the background.
The photos N. Korea banned
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.
