Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New Space Station Photos Show North Korea at Night, Cloaked in Darkness [Communist countries don't need a hurricane to have a nationwide blackout]
February 27, 2014 ^ | National Geographic | Daniel Stone

Posted on 09/28/2022 2:36:06 AM PDT by grundle

This night image of the Korean Peninsula shows that North Korea is almost completely dark compared to neighboring South Korea and China.

PHOTOGRAPH BY EARTH SCIENCE & REMOTE SENSING UNITY, NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER

North Korea's isolation is visible in new satellite photos that show the energy-bankrupt country at night.

Since the mid-1990s, when fuel stopped flowing from the defunct Soviet Union to North Korea, the famously hermetic country has descended into darkness.

Newly released photos taken from the International Space Station last month reveal just how energy bankrupt North Korea has become. The photos, and a time-lapse video of the region, show the country as almost completely black, in contrast to the bright lights of neighbors like South Korea and Japan. (See related, "North Korea: Nuclear Ambition, Power Shortage.")

In South Korea, each person consumes 10,162 kilowatt hours of power a year. North Koreans each use just 739. Other than several small spots of light, including the brightly illuminated capital of Pyongyang, the country just about blends in with the surrounding black ocean.

Satellites have traditionally been the best tools for observing North Korea; they capture detailed views from far beyond sealed borders. Starting in 1948 with Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the current North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un, the country has shunned most of the world.

The North Korean government has refused offers of food and energy aid in exchange for a commitment to curtailing its nuclear energy ambitions. International inspectors have been denied entry, which has resulted in increasingly harsh sanctions led in large part by the United States and South Korea. China remains the staunchest of the north's few allies.

In her 2009 book Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, Barbara Demick described the effect darkness has on culture.

Streets become too dark for people to walk, limiting social interactions outside of daytime work hours. No one can watch TV or consume the limited amount of media allowed by the government.

Still, some parts of North Korea never go dark. Several government buildings, as well as Kim Jong Un's personal palace, stay lit at all times. Also illuminated around the clock: the famous 560-foot (171-meter) Juche Tower at the center of Pyongyang. It stands as a lonely symbol of nationalism and self-reliance, whatever the cost.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 2014; blackout; northkorea; oldnews
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-24 next last

1 posted on 09/28/2022 2:36:06 AM PDT by grundle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: grundle

IDK - there seem to be a lot more specks of light than the old image from many years ago. Progress!


2 posted on 09/28/2022 2:37:52 AM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 21twelve

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Korean_Peninsula_at_night_from_space.jpg

Here’s the old photo. Definitely a few newer small specks of light.


3 posted on 09/28/2022 2:40:54 AM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: grundle

A light bulb must last a few million years.


4 posted on 09/28/2022 2:45:55 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

Yes,there could be a few more specks of light. After all,counterfeiting US currency,manufacturing meth and selling nuclear technology,and other weapons,to rogue nations can bring in pretty good cash.


5 posted on 09/28/2022 2:51:57 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (I Miss Jimmy Carter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

That article and picture is from 2014.


6 posted on 09/28/2022 2:53:44 AM PDT by KobraKai
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

All of Europe will look like North Korea. It’s part of the ‘green plan’ to depopulate.


7 posted on 09/28/2022 3:02:31 AM PDT by TigerClaws
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: grundle

That’s what California will look like soon


8 posted on 09/28/2022 3:02:42 AM PDT by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

So carbon neutral of them.


9 posted on 09/28/2022 3:14:20 AM PDT by Telepathic Intruder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: digger48
Re: "That's what California will look like soon."

Except for the burning cities and out of control wild fires!

10 posted on 09/28/2022 3:18:43 AM PDT by zeestephen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: grundle

NK could probably kick our woke military ass now. We’ve got a military willing to fight but you can’t with woke ass leadership in all the services.


11 posted on 09/28/2022 3:24:13 AM PDT by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

What they want for the vast majority of us...


12 posted on 09/28/2022 3:24:33 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

That must really be good for stargazing! It’s like New Mexico in Asia!


13 posted on 09/28/2022 3:41:08 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

There is an entire country (with nukes and missiles) that knows how to live without electricity...


14 posted on 09/28/2022 3:46:39 AM PDT by Dixie Yooper (Ephesians 6:11)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

Coming soon to California.


15 posted on 09/28/2022 4:00:34 AM PDT by airborne (Thank you Rush for helping me find FreeRepublic! R)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 21twelve

Military facilities & detention camps.


16 posted on 09/28/2022 4:57:57 AM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: grundle

At the 2030 NWO Conference, N. Korea will have alouder voice matters pertaining to saving the planet. Appartently, we wester countries are wasting away the earth and destroying her while the poor nations are owed an appology. Mark them there words, casuing we be the bad guys in a score of 7 years.


17 posted on 09/28/2022 5:27:36 AM PDT by Jumper ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grundle

Guess electric cars are out in North Korea.


18 posted on 09/28/2022 6:36:16 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 21twelve

THIS picture is from 2014.


19 posted on 09/28/2022 7:01:45 AM PDT by ALASKA (There has to be a line we do not cross.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: grundle

The US will look like that in 30 years if the Commie Rat Globalists are not stopped. . .


20 posted on 09/28/2022 7:02:15 AM PDT by RatRipper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-24 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson