Life in North Korea

Hotel staff members wait to welcome scientists and technicians from the recent successful launch of a rocket that sent an artificial satellite into orbit at hotel lobby in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012.

A television screen shows an image of a rocket launch with the subtitles "Artificial satellite Kwangmyongsong No. 2" near portraits of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at a video screening room of a bookstore in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012. North Korea successfully launched a rocket that sent a satellite into orbit the week before.

A man walks on the roof of a building near a portrait of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

A North Korean woman carries books past a painting of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, right, and Kim Jong Il at a bookstore in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

Hotel staff members wait to welcome scientists and technicians from the recent successful launch of a rocket that sent an artificial satellite into orbit at hotel lobby in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012.

A North Korean man walks past the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill as it snows in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

A man walks on the roof of a building near a portrait of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

North Korean children sweep the steps near a giant mosaic of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, right, and Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

A television screen shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un near portraits of his late grandfather Kim Il Sung, left, and his father Kim Jong Il at a video screening room of a bookstore in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

North Korean men drink beer at the Mansugyo Soft Drink restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the reconstruction of the restaurant that stood for decades along the Taedong river. The restaurant specializes in seven flavors of beer, cocktails, coffee and snack food.

North Koreans walk to pay respect to the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill as it snows in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

North Korean waitresses prepare to serve beer at the Mansugyo Soft Drink restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the reconstruction of the restaurant that stood for decades along the Taedong river. The restaurant specialists in seven flavors of beer, cocktails, coffee and snack food.

Life in North Korea — AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

Hotel staff members wait to welcome scientists and technicians from the recent successful launch of a rocket that sent an artificial satellite into orbit at hotel lobby in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012.

A North Korean man carries a floral basket past the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill as it snows in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

North Korean soldiers walk along a street in the snow in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

North Korean traffic controllers gather on a street in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

Hotel staff members prepare to welcome scientists and technicians from the recent successful launch of a rocket that sent an artificial satellite into orbit at hotel lobby in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012.

North Koreans leave after laying flowers to show respect to the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill as it snows in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

A North Korean woman carries buckets past a play ground in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

North Korean man pedals past a statue after a snow fall in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

North Korean children carry a banner which reads "North Korea (looking out) to the World", a phrase popularized this year by students in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012. Students regularly march and sing songs during rush hour to raise the morale of residents in the North Korean capital

North Korean women work at the cashier table of a bookstore in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

Chefs wait to welcome scientists and technicians from the recent successful launch of a rocket that sent an artificial satellite into orbit at hotel lobby in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012.

A North Korean waitress prepares to serve beer at the Mansugyo Soft Drink restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the reconstruction of the restaurant that stood for decades along the Taedong river. The restaurant specializes in seven flavors of beer, cocktails, coffee and snack food.

A North Korean man walks past a mural depicting children at play in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

North Korean men drink beer at the Mansugyo Soft Drink restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the reconstruction of the restaurant that stood for decades along the Taedong river. The restaurant specializes in seven flavors of beer, cocktails, coffee and snack food.

A man walks on the roof of a building near a portrait of late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

North Korean waitresses prepare to serve beer at the Mansugyo Soft Drink restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the reconstruction of the restaurant that stood for decades along the Taedong river. The restaurant specializes in seven flavors of beer, cocktails, coffee and snack food.

A North Korean man blows onto the frosted window of a tram in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.

Hotel staff members wait to welcome scientists and technicians from the recent successful launch of a rocket that sent an artificial satellite into orbit at hotel lobby in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 20, 2012.

North Koreans bow in front of the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill as it snows in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

Floral baskets are placed near the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il at Mansu Hill as it snows in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21, 2012.

North Korean men wait for waitresses to serve them beer near a sign board displaying seven flavors of beer at the Mansugyo Soft Drink restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the reconstruction of the restaurant that stood for decades along the Taedong river. The restaurant specializes in seven flavors of beer, cocktails, coffee and snack food.

North Korean women work at the cashier table of a bookstore in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 19, 2012.