A photographer explores the country and is able to capture rare scenes of the reclusive state.

The poor but nuclear-armed North Korea was planning to launch a rocket that it said will put a satellite in orbit to mark the centenary of the birth of late founding president Kim Il-Sung, the father of Kim Jong-Il.

North Korea's much hyped long-range rocket apparently crashed into the sea a few minutes after launch on Friday, South Korean and other officials said, dealing a blow to the prestige of the reclusive and impoverished state. Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: Reuters)