Scholar uses trash as treasure to study life in North Korea


              Kang Dong Wan, 48, a professor at South Korea's Dong-A University, speaks with trash from North Korea during an interview in Seoul, South Korea on April 4, 2022. Kang has turned to a different way of collecting information about secretive North Korea as pandemic restrictions make it harder for outsiders to find out what's life like for North Koreans. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
            
              Kang Dong Wan, 48, a professor at South Korea's Dong-A University, displays trash from North Korea during an interview in Seoul, South Korea on April 4, 2022. Kang has turned to a different way of collecting information about secretive North Korea as pandemic restrictions make it harder for outsiders to find out what's life like for North Koreans. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
            
              Kang Dong Wan, 48, a professor at South Korea's Dong-A University, holds trash from North Korea during an interview in Seoul, South Korea on April 4, 2022. Kang has turned to a different way of collecting information about secretive North Korea as pandemic restrictions make it harder for outsiders to find out what's life like for North Koreans. The letters read "Tangerine and Strawberry milk." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
            
              Kang Dong Wan, 48, a professor at South Korea's Dong-A University, picks up trash from North Korea on beach of Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea on Dec. 21, 2021. Kang has turned to a different way of collecting information about secretive North Korea as pandemic restrictions make it harder for outsiders to find out what's life like for North Koreans.(Courtesy of Pro. Kang Dong Wan via AP)
            
              Kang Dong Wan, 48, a professor at South Korea's Dong-A University, speaks with trash from North Korea during an interview in Seoul, South Korea on April 4, 2022. Kang has turned to a different way of collecting information about secretive North Korea as pandemic restrictions make it harder for outsiders to find out what's life like for North Koreans. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)