In the early 1960s, tensions between the United States and North Korea were at an all-time high. As the cold war raged on, both sides were engaged in a dangerous game of espionage, with spies on both sides working tirelessly to gather intelligence and gain the upper hand.

It was during this time that I found myself in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, on assignment for a big magazine. My mission was to document the lives of North Koreans, but what I found was far more extraordinary than anything I could have imagined.

One day, as I was walking through the streets of Pyongyang, I was approached by a man and a woman. They introduced themselves as Korean spies, and they had a request: they wanted me to take their portrait.

At first, I was hesitant. The risks of being caught photographing spies in North Korea were immense, and I knew that if I were caught, the consequences could be dire. But something in their eyes told me that this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

So, I agreed, and we snuck into a small studio tucked away in an alleyway. As I set up my camera, the man and woman prepared themselves, adopting poses that were both casual and confident.

As I snapped away, I couldn’t help but marvel at their bravery. These were individuals who had put their lives on the line in service of their country, working behind enemy lines in one of the most dangerous places on earth.

And yet, as I looked at them through my lens, I saw something else – a sense of humanity, a willingness to risk everything for a cause they believed in.

When the shoot was over, the man and woman thanked me and disappeared back into the shadows. I never saw them again, but their image stayed with me, a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who put themselves in harm’s way for the greater good.

Years later, when the cold war had ended and tensions had eased, I looked back on that portrait with a sense of awe and respect. In that small studio in Pyongyang, I had captured something far more valuable than a mere image – I had captured the spirit of those who fight for what they believe in, no matter the cost.