It's not very often that we're granted a genuine insight into everyday life in secretive, mysterious North Korea. With state media strictly controlled and the citizens' internet access limited at best, only those able to afford to visit are gifted a good look at one of the world's most fascinating societies - and even they're restricted to specific routes and locations. However, a recent easing of restrictions means more information about North Korea might be forthcoming.

Associated Press photographer David Guttenfelder has been one of the first visitors to benefit from the eased restrictions (which includes access to mobile internet), and spent several weeks in September and October in the country taking pictures. Not only that, he and his colleagues are trying to build up a more detailed understanding of the country through social media.

As he explains on Wired's website, "until a few months ago, the Google map of North Korea was a blank slate. Now I’m like an explorer, charting the country with my check-ins and photos. The first time I tried to tag a picture on Instagram, there were no preset locations. Now we’re making those too."

Guttenfelder also says he has faced few limitations in his attempts at documenting the country, stating "no one puts their hand in front of my camera, and no one tells me not to shoot things. There’s no review process".

You can see more of Guttenfelder's photos on his Instagram page. Here are some of the most intriguing: