Astronaut Photo Shows Stark Contrast With Neighboring Countries

North Korea's Darkness Highlights Economic Divide

Astronaut Photo Shows Stark Contrast With Neighboring Countries

By CBS News/February 25, 2014 3:52 PM EST

In January 2014, astronauts on board the International Space Station ISS took a photo that dramatically illustrated the economic divide between North Korea and its neighboring countries. This night image of the Korean Peninsula shows that North Korea is almost completely dark compared to neighboring South Korea and China. The photo, taken by NASA astronaut Terry Virts, shows the Korean Peninsula lit up at night, with South Korea and China ablaze with light, while North Korea is almost completely dark. The photo highlights the stark economic divide between the two Koreas, with South Korea being one of the most developed countries in the world, while North Korea is one of the poorest.

The photo has been widely shared on social media, and has sparked a debate about the economic and political situation in North Korea. Some people have used the photo to argue that North Korea is a failed state, while others have argued that the photo is simply a reflection of the country's isolation from the rest of the world.

The photo is a reminder of the ongoing economic and political challenges facing North Korea. The country has been under international sanctions for decades, and its economy has been struggling for years. The photo also highlights the human cost of the country's isolation, with many North Koreans living in poverty and without access to basic necessities.

The photo is a powerful reminder of the need for dialogue and cooperation between North Korea and the rest of the world. The photo shows that the economic divide between North Korea and its neighbors is a serious problem, and that it is a problem that can only be solved through cooperation and dialogue.