Here's a Rare and Intimate Look at Everyday Life in North Korea

North Korea is a notoriously secretive country, one that regularly blocks visitors from capturing images of its cities and the day-to-day activities of its people.

However, there have been a few exceptions to the rule, including one that was made when David Guttenfelder, the Associated Press’ chief photographer in Asia, was in the country in 2013.

See, the country’s local phone service provider, Koryolink, for the first time ever last year allowed foreigners to use their phones to access the Internet, Business Insider reported.

And Guttenfelder took full advantage of the opportunity, wasting no time snapping photos of everyday life in the mysterious Hermit Kingdom.

Here a collection of some of the images Guttenfelder posted to Instagram (as compiled by BI):

"Tractor, wagon, & bicycle in the North Korean countryside."

Image source: David Guttenfelder/Instagram

"Pedestrians in Pyongyang."

Image source: David Guttenfelder/AP

"A North Korean nurse studies in a hallway at a pediatric hospital in #Pyongyang."

Image source: David Guttenfelder/AP.

"North Korean subway commuters gather around a public newspaper stand on the train platform in #Pyongyang to read the headlines about Jang Song Thaek, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's uncle who was executed as a traitor"

Image source: David Guttenfelder/AP

"A wall chart showing examples of various teeth conditions hangs inside a dental clinic in Pyongyang, North Korea."

Image source: David Guttenfelder/AP.

"Residents of #Pyongyang walk by a mosaic of the late leader Kim Jong Il in the 2nd anniversary if his death."

Image source: David Guttenfelder/AP.

"A pre-school playground set, shaped like the North Korean Unha rocket near #Pyongyang"

Image source: David Guttenfelder/AP.

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Featured image David Guttenfelder/AP.