The reality of North Korean 'equality': Kim's chauffeur-driven cronies travel alongside worn-out trams and PLANTS dedicated to his family get five-star treatment as people live in squalor 

  • New pictures have emerged showing growing wealth gap in North Korea 
  • Government officials flaunt  expensive cars next to workers on bicycles
  • Images also show how capital Pyongyang is crippled by power cuts 
  • Pictures come amid figures showing the number of defectors has risen  

By Nicola Smith For Mailonline

Published: 06:04 EST, 8 September 2016 | Updated: 09:17 EST, 8 September 2016

Never-before-seen pictures from inside North Korea have revealed a growing wealth gap where government officials flaunt their expensive Western cars next to commuters on rusty bicycles.

The images, given to the South Korean-based news website, Daily NK, show one senior ranking government official drive his gleaming Audi sedan next to a decrepit train used by workers struggling to reach the centre of the capital Pyongyang.

According to defectors, the trains frequently come to a standstill during power cuts, prompting most residents to rely on old family bicycles to get around.

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Never-before-seen pictures from North Korea have shown government officials travelling in chauffeur driven cars while workers have to take a tram that rarely runs 

Never-before-seen pictures from North Korea have shown government officials travelling in chauffeur driven cars while workers have to take a tram that rarely runs 

Another government official uses a car to get around Pyongyang while others are forced on foot or bicycles 

Another government official uses a car to get around Pyongyang while others are forced on foot or bicycles 

A greenhouse in the city growing flowers for the government is always provided with electricity despite many others going without

A greenhouse in the city growing flowers for the government is always provided with electricity despite many others going without

Only those rising through the ranks of the party faithful, who are known as the 'donju', or 'masters of money', can sometimes afford to buy a motorcycle.

The economic divide is said to be fuelling a sharp rise in middle class defectors, desperate to escape.

The release of the pictures, from an anonymous frequent traveller to the notoriously secretive country, coincides with new figures from the Korean Unification Ministry in Seoul that show the number of middle class defectors leaving for economic reasons has risen sharply.

The ministry claims the percentage has grown from 19 per cent in 2001 to 55.9 per cent after 2014, with 894 North Koreans escaping so far this year, compared to 777 last year, reports the Business Insider.

Most North Koreans live in squalor with their only mode of transport a bike to take them around the country 

Most North Koreans live in squalor with their only mode of transport a bike to take them around the country 

Only those rising through the ranks of the party faithful, who are known as the 'donju', or 'masters of money', can sometimes afford to buy a motorcycle

Only those rising through the ranks of the party faithful, who are known as the 'donju', or 'masters of money', can sometimes afford to buy a motorcycle

They include the high profile defection of Thae Yong Ho, who was the second highest ranking diplomat at the North Korean embassy in London, and a close confidante of the family of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The new pictures also reveal the toll of North Korea's economic woes, which have left the country crippled by power cuts.

Among the more bizarre revelations are pictures of greenhouses that reportedly contain flowers dedicated to the two previous strongmen of the pariah state, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the grandfather and father of the current leader.

The source claims that the flowers are known as 'Kimilsungia' and 'Kimjongilia' and are often used for propaganda purposes. 

Large tubs placed next to the sinks in bathrooms at restaurants and tourist sites provide water when the pumps stop functioning

Large tubs placed next to the sinks in bathrooms at restaurants and tourist sites provide water when the pumps stop functioning

The new pictures also reveal the toll of North Korea's economic woes, which have left the country crippled by power cuts

The new pictures also reveal the toll of North Korea's economic woes, which have left the country crippled by power cuts

The greenhouses benefit from a constant supply of electricity, while the general population goes without.

Solar panels hovering above street lamps on the empty roads give an indication of how little electricity is available even in the capital city.

Large tubs placed next to the sinks in bathrooms at restaurants and tourist sites provide water when the pumps stop functioning.

The Unification Ministry said the recent increase in defections was due to the fact that more defectors from higher statuses had the resources to escape. 

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