A man from Singapore has recorded footage and pictures of North Korea that appear to show a different side to the country.
It emerged over the weekend that the country's totalitarian regime is 'ready for war' following rising tensions in the area, with a US aircraft carrier group being dispatched towards the country.
But although the western media's representation of the country is one torn apart by war and poverty, photographer Aram Pan captured many scenes altogether different from what you might expect.
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To date he has made 15 trips to North Korea and told LADbible that he is 'only beginning to understand' the country.
Reflecting on his non-judgemental view towards the country and its people, he said: "For the average tourist to make a trip and draw conclusions would be like a tourist visiting Phuket and saying Thailand is all about ladyboys, pubs and adult shows."
Credit: DPRK 360
His photos include water parks, children playing and bustling markets. He also captured a virtual trip in city tour of the country's capital Pyongyang.
Unlike many visitors to the country, who have to sneak in recording equipment, Pan claims he did not have to hide the photos and video he was taking from inside the country, instead he asked for permission and was granted it.
Credit: DPRK 360
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"I have been curious about North Korea for many years. The average person has probably seen more photos about outer space than of North Korea. It's one of those great mysteries that I wanted to discover for myself and I figured it might just be possible," Mr Pan told The Daily Mail.
Discussing one of his first trips in 2012, he said: 'It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn't want to do a sneaky, undercover project as I didn't want to get into any trouble."
Credit: DPRK 360
Pan's project, DPRK 360, focuses on engaging North Koreans in a positive, friendly and non-political manner, and as he has made more and more trips he has been granted more exclusive access to the country and its people.
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With that said, clearly everything not all fun and sunshine in North Korea, yesterday, for example, the regime announced that soldiers who had shared a joke about leader Kim Jong-un, comparing him to a child, have been arrested and will face 'severe punishments'.
They said: "News of cadres of the second army corps slandering Kim Jong-un reached all the way to the People's Army's General Political Bureau, and the arrested cadres are to be severely punished."
Add to that the growing prospect of nuclear war and I don't think I'll be heading over there any time soon. Nice photos though.
Featured Image Credit: DPRK 360Topics: North Korea