Differences between North and South Korea - PHOTO

These extraordinary photographs show the extreme differences between everyday life in North and South Korea.The two countries were culturally identical before they were split into the communist North and capitalist South - but now they are almost unidentifiable.German photographer Dieter Leistner travelled around both countries, capturing images which demonstrate the huge gulf between them. South Korea's capital Seoul appears modern, prosperous and busy, while Pyongyang in North Korea is desolate and underdeveloped.Mr Leistner was given official permission to travel to Pyongyang in 2006, and returned to the peninsula six years later to take complementary photographs of Seoul.He sought out comparable locations in order to capture a set of photos which would highlight the similarities and differences between the two nations.In Seoul people can be seen chatting on the subway, whereas those on the metro in North Korea seem to be more subdued.  The photos of North Korea showcase bronze statues of Communist heroes and wide avenues with very few cars and people.The bustling streets of Seoul could not be more different, choked with cars and people and late-night shopping.Mr Leistner's book, Korea-Korea, reflects on the parallels with the situation in his own home country, which was for decades split between West and East Germany.His images are supported by excerpts from two diaries. The first was written by Philipp Sturm, who grew up in East Germany and accompanied Mr Leistner to Pyongyang.(dailymail.co.uk)Bakudaily.az