CNN's Will Ripley is in Pyongyang. Here are his photos. A sight the DPRK wants to show the world: A massive sports village where North Korea athletes train.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
CNN's Will Ripley is in Pyongyang. Here are his photos. A sight the DPRK wants to show the world: A massive sports village where North Korea athletes train.
will ripley/cnn
Stars of the show include former NFL star Bob "The Beast" Sapp.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
Stars of the show include former NFL star Bob "The Beast" Sapp.
The woman on the left is a blogger living in South Korea and the woman on the right lives in North Korea. Both attended a pro-wrestling festival in Pyongyang.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
The woman on the left is a blogger living in South Korea and the woman on the right lives in North Korea. Both attended a pro-wrestling festival in Pyongyang.
As evidenced by the Pyongyang crowd, most North Koreans dress up for sporting events.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
As evidenced by the Pyongyang crowd, most North Koreans dress up for sporting events.
will ripley/cnn
Pyongyang ballet dancers perform before the tournament starts.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
Pyongyang ballet dancers perform before the tournament starts.
will ripley/cnn
North Korean dance and tae kwon do students prepare to perform for the crowd of 13,000 at the wrestling festival.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
North Korean dance and tae kwon do students prepare to perform for the crowd of 13,000 at the wrestling festival.
will ripley/cnn
The 105 story Ryugyong Hotel sits unfinished 27 years after construction began in 1987 and was halted by the North Korea economic crisis of 1992. The exterior was completed in 2011 but the hotel has yet to open.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
The 105 story Ryugyong Hotel sits unfinished 27 years after construction began in 1987 and was halted by the North Korea economic crisis of 1992. The exterior was completed in 2011 but the hotel has yet to open.
Will Ripley/CNN
An area of Pyongyang visible from the Yanggakdo International Hotel, but off-limits to most foreigners.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
An area of Pyongyang visible from the Yanggakdo International Hotel, but off-limits to most foreigners.
The front doors of the Grand People's Study House in Pyongyang.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
The front doors of the Grand People's Study House in Pyongyang.
A portrait of the late leader Kim Jung Il at the Grand People's Study House in Pyongyang.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
A portrait of the late leader Kim Jung Il at the Grand People's Study House in Pyongyang.
will ripley/cnn
North Koreans in an English lecture at the Grand People's Study House.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
North Koreans in an English lecture at the Grand People's Study House.
will ripley/cnn
The North Korean military captured the American ship USS Pueblo in 1968. The US Navy denies North Korea's claims that the ship crossed into DPRK waters.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
The North Korean military captured the American ship USS Pueblo in 1968. The US Navy denies North Korea's claims that the ship crossed into DPRK waters.
will ripley/cnn
We're told this Pyongyang water park is a pet project of Kim Jong Un. Our North Korean government minders say he's quite a sportsman.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
We're told this Pyongyang water park is a pet project of Kim Jong Un. Our North Korean government minders say he's quite a sportsman.
Will Ripley/CNN
We're told Kim Jong Un scrutinized water park plans 113 times and had high ranking officials safety test slides.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
We're told Kim Jong Un scrutinized water park plans 113 times and had high ranking officials safety test slides.
Will Ripley/CNN
The capacity of this Pyongyang water park is up to 20,000 per day, says the North Korea government.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
The capacity of this Pyongyang water park is up to 20,000 per day, says the North Korea government.
Will Ripley/CNN
The latest North Korea swimsuit fashion on display at a Pyongyang water park.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
The latest North Korea swimsuit fashion on display at a Pyongyang water park.
Will Ripley/CNN
Haircuts are chosen by number, here 1--15. We're told the most popular is 7.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
Haircuts are chosen by number, here 1--15. We're told the most popular is 7.
Will Ripley/CNN
This is the oldest theater in Pyongyang built after the Korean war, a time of rapid growth for North Korea.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
This is the oldest theater in Pyongyang built after the Korean war, a time of rapid growth for North Korea.
Will Ripley/CNN
Good morning from a hazy Pyongyang, North Korea. The view from my 41st floor hotel room.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
Good morning from a hazy Pyongyang, North Korea. The view from my 41st floor hotel room.
Will Ripley/CNN
Our hotel, the Yanggakdo, is on its own little island inside Pyongyang but still apart from it. Water separates us from everyone else.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
Our hotel, the Yanggakdo, is on its own little island inside Pyongyang but still apart from it. Water separates us from everyone else.
Will Ripley/CNN
While reporting in North Korea, we must wear these arm bands.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
While reporting in North Korea, we must wear these arm bands.
Will Ripley/CNN
North Korea in-flight videos show the monuments & attractions of Pyongyang.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
North Korea in-flight videos show the monuments & attractions of Pyongyang.
Will Ripley/CNN
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is everywhere in state media.
CNN's Will Ripley travels to North Korea —
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is everywhere in state media.
Will Ripley/CNN