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For the past three years Associated Press photographer Wong Maye-E has been working to gain the trust of those she photographs in North Korea. In the authoritarian country that has zero tolerance for those who express objection to its government, or their leader Kim Jong Un — Maye-E has had to work in an environment where trust in the foreign media is greatly lacking.
When interacting with her subjects, Maye-E first takes their photo with a instant camera, and gives them a copy of their picture. This small interaction helps break the ice for her next set of questions: "what's important to you?" and, "what's your life motto?"
Their answers, as Maye-E says, usually worked around the theme of propaganda. "A lot of their answers were based on the theme of protecting their fatherland, protecting their current leader Kim Jung Un, or pleasing him," she said in an interview with AP. Ahead, 14 portraits of North Koreans along with their telling responses to Maye-E's questions.
"As one of the working class, I'll devote myself to realize the great idea of Marshal Kim Jong Un and I'll work hard to achieve this," said Kim Jong Sil.
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"Being a girl doesn't stop me from upholding the leadership Marshal Kim Jong Un and it drives me to be even better," said Jang Sol Hyang.
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Pak Sin Hyok spoke of Juche, an ideology created by past President Kim Il Sung. "To give focus to producing Juche-oriented art and bring glory to the Juche idea which is the idea of reliance," he said.
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