Two photos 20 years apart show how time stood still in North Korea

A recent satellite photo of the Korean peninsula at night taken by astronauts on the International Space Station reconfirms what the rest of the world already knew–North Korea disappears at night because the country can’t afford electricity.

NASA

Aside from the tired analogies of good vs. evil that abound, what is even more startling is the lack of progress when the latest image is compared with the one taken 20 years ago. Even as areas in South Korea and China are awash in light, the darkness that envelops North Korea remains untouched. Time has come to a standstill in North Korea.

NASA

– Sue Chang

Follow Sue Chang on Twitter @SueChangMW.