Some of the most enduring images of North Korea are these satellite pictures taken at night.
You've probably seen them.
The neighboring countries are ablaze with the lights of cities and towns,
but once you hit North Korea's borders, it's just black.
Everything's dark.
North Korea is very poor and has very poor infrastructure
that includes electricity because of years of sanctions from the U.S.
And other countries aimed at punishing it for its nuclear program.
Until now, that's how we've understood North Korea.
But the Wall Street Journal recently reported a staggering statistic.
Last year, in the capital Pyongyang, more than 10,000 homes were built.
That's more than were thrown up in either Los Angeles or Chicago.
Something is happening in North Korea.
The image that's been painted for us by recent visitors.
To the North Korean capital is an economy that's on the uptick, an economy that's thriving.
And that was hugely surprising to us.
Coming up on Today Explained from Vox, boom times in the hermit kingdom.
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