North Korea as you've NEVER seen it before: New 360-degree camera technology gives a rare insight into the reclusive regime... allowing you to peer beyond the propaganda 

  • The unique video captures previously off limit areas of North Korea
  • The spherical film allows the viewer to control what they watch and tour the country 
  • Film-maker Aram Pan has created an impressive snap-shot of life in North Korea 
  • The Singaporean filmed the 360 degree video on his third visit to the notoriously secretive country 

By Jennifer Russell For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:48 EST, 20 July 2015 | Updated: 08:54 EST, 20 July 2015

The world's first 360 degree film of North Korea has been created by Singaporean film-maker Aram Pan, chronicling his journey through the secretive country with a group of tourists.

The 19 minute-long video follows the adventure seekers as they walk across the Chinese border into North Korea and make their way to see some of the government approved sites.

But what makes the video different from anything the world has ever seen before, is the use of immersive 360 degree camera systems that capture a spherical video which can be controlled by the viewer - a contrast to the carefully staged images often seen from the notoriously secretive country.

Scroll down for video 

Film-maker Aram Pan (pictured with his translator, Miss Kim) takes the viewer on a 360 degree tour to previously off limit areas of North Korea

Film-maker Aram Pan (pictured with his translator, Miss Kim) takes the viewer on a 360 degree tour to previously off limit areas of North Korea

Aram is joined by Australian Rowan Beard, manager of Young Pioneer Tours, the fastest-growing tour operator in North Korea, who takes him on a trek into areas which have long been rumored to be places with the harshest conditions.

Under the regime’s new pro-tourism policy, places that are previously off limits are now being opened up to the public, and Aram was able to visit the cities Rason, Namyang, Hoeryon, Chongjin, Kyongson and Chilbo, in the North of the country.

The viewer can follow the group on outings to schools, mountains and factories, and watch them behave like typical tourists in a Russian bar in Rason.

 Aram Pan is filmed next to one of North Korea's most sacred mountains and features footage of him trekking to the mountain 

 Aram Pan is filmed next to one of North Korea's most sacred mountains and features footage of him trekking to the mountain 

Aram Pan (left) and Shane O'Hodhráin (right) star in the world's first 360 degree film, captured using a super-wide angle Entaniya Fisheye Lens

Aram Pan (left) and Shane O'Hodhráin (right) star in the world's first 360 degree film, captured using a super-wide angle Entaniya Fisheye Lens

The first pictures taken when entering North Korea from the Chinese border, Aram was surprised by how 'pretty and porous' it was

The first pictures taken when entering North Korea from the Chinese border, Aram was surprised by how 'pretty and porous' it was

The world's first 360 degree video toured the streets of North Korea, showing over-sized sunglasses have become fashionable in the communist country

The world's first 360 degree video toured the streets of North Korea, showing over-sized sunglasses have become fashionable in the communist country

Aram is a commercial photographer by day who specialises in 360 degree panoramic virtual tours for real estate, hotels and automobiles, but this is his first tourist video.

He has captured a number of fascinating images of North Korea since making his first trip to the country in 2013.

It was during his first trip that Aram discovered North Korea is not like the place he had seen on TV.

He witnessed bustling markets, men and women enjoying themselves at a Western looking water park and miles and miles of crops ready for harvest, shattering all of his illusions about what a holiday to North Korea would entail. And he set about publicising North Korea in a positive and non-political manner.

Along the way, lunch can be bought on the train ranging from 20 RMB to 40 RMB
Dining out in Tumen

Along the way, lunch can be bought on the train ranging from 20 RMB to 40 RMB. And traditional North Korean beer was enjoyed by the group at a restaurant in Tumen

Beijing Railway Station where the Aram took the sleeper train to Tumen (24 hour ride), before walking across the border into North Korea

Beijing Railway Station where the Aram took the sleeper train to Tumen (24 hour ride), before walking across the border into North Korea

Aram Pan pictures the observation deck on the Chinese border. The barbed-wire fence is a contrast to the lush green shrubbery surrounding the border 

Aram Pan pictures the observation deck on the Chinese border. The barbed-wire fence is a contrast to the lush green shrubbery surrounding the border 

During his latest visit in June, Aram brought along a new toy: a super-wide angle Entaniya Fisheye Lens from Entapano - the result is the world's first 360 degree video.

Aram is seen crossing the border and stepping over the bridge from China into the North of the country. 

On entering the photographer commented on his Facebook: "I'm surprised to see that the entire border of North Korea is extremely porous. Walking along the border, I see no fences and no patrols along the North Korean side."

In order to fully enjoy the experience, viewers must watch the YouTube video on the latest Chrome browser for Mac or PCs.

For iPhone and Android users, you’ll need a mobile device not older than two-years-old and have the latest OS update and YouTube App installed.

More information on Aram Pan's North Korea 360 photography and video project can be found on his Facebook page.

The tourist were treated to a song and dance performance by children in traditional dresses from the local Namyang school

The tourist were treated to a song and dance performance by children in traditional dresses from the local Namyang school

Aram took this panoramic shot looking at Namyang, North Korea from Tumen, China, before crossing the border into the North of the country

Aram took this panoramic shot looking at Namyang, North Korea from Tumen, China, before crossing the border into the North of the country

Road signs in Myongchon, North Hamgyong Province as the group toured the North of the country, crossing from the Chinese border

Road signs in Myongchon, North Hamgyong Province as the group toured the North of the country, crossing from the Chinese border

Shane O'hÓdhráin and the rest of the group, including residents, letting their hair down by dancing and forming a 'conga line' at a North Korean bar 

Shane O'hÓdhráin and the rest of the group, including residents, letting their hair down by dancing and forming a 'conga line' at a North Korean bar 

Residential buildings in Hoeryong, North Hamgyŏng Province depict a fairly Western area with apartment blocks and a tree-lined street

Residential buildings in Hoeryong, North Hamgyŏng Province depict a fairly Western area with apartment blocks and a tree-lined street

Sunrise over Sambong, near to Hoeryong as the group enjoy watching the beautiful scenes they encountered on their journey

Sunrise over Sambong, near to Hoeryong as the group enjoy watching the beautiful scenes they encountered on their journey

Comments (245)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now