Revealing more of North Korea

North Korea remains a mystery to most of the West, but through small glimpses into the daily life of North Koreans, more and more is revealed about this mysterious country. Associated Press photographers David Guttenfelder and Vincent Yu have been fortunate to have unprecedented access to some areas in Pyongyang, the country's largest city by both land area and population. Through their images, we learn just a little bit more about what it's like to live in one of the world's most militarized and isolated countries. -- Paula Nelson ( 50 photos total)

Two North Korean men have their photo taken by a relative after bowling at a Pyongyang, North Korea bowling alley, Sept. 7, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press)

A North Korean man takes a photograph while his friends rest on deck chairs at a water slide and swimming pool complex in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 8, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

A North Korean woman working at a miniature golf facility gives guidance to young players in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 8, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

A car and pedestrians cross an intersection in downtown Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 7, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

The Tower of the Juche Idea stands in Pyongyang, North Korea during a morning rainstorm, Sept. 8, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Korean commuters ride the subway in Pyongyang, Sept. 10, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Korean commuters read a public copy of the daily newspaper as they wait on the subway platform for the train to arrive at the metro station in Pyongyang, Sept. 10, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Korean children lift toy barbells during play time at a school for the performing arts in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 13, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

A North Korean school girl lifts a toy barbell during play time at a school for the performing,, Sept. 13, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

A North Korean taxi cab drops off a passenger at a newly constructed apartment building in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 13, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Korean spectators cheer as they watch traditional Korean wrestling on the opening day of an annual tournament in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 14, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Koreans walk along the Taedong river in Pyongyang, North Korea. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Koreans ride a carnival ride at a newly-built amusement park in Pyongyang, North Korea. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

North Korean children draw pictures at a school for performing arts in Pyongyang, North Korea. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

A North Korean woman walks down stairs at a restaurant meant primarily for tourists in Kaesong, North Korea, Sept. 11, 2012. (David Guttenfelder/Associated Press) #

The sun sets over the tower of the Juche Idea in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 17, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Korean buys food at a food store in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 17, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean on a street in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 18, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Korean laborers work at a construction site in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 18, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean walks at a underpass in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 17, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

Buildings in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 18, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean walks out from a underpass in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 18, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean stands at a hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 18, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A building framed in a hotel window in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean girl stands outside a food store in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 18, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean couple pose for a wedding picture near the newly constructed development project area on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Koreans through a window of a bowling center in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Koreans react at a bowling center in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Associated Press/Associated Press) #

A North Korean man bowls at a bowling alley in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Koreans play billiards in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean waitress works at a restaurant behind a huge fish tank at a hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean waitress serves beer at a restaurant in Kaesong, North Korea. Kaesong, which sits just north of the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea, was the ancient capital of the Koryo Dynasty for 500 years, until 1392. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean waitress stands near a TV screen displaying a member of a singing group, ABBA at a restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean waitress takes orders at a restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 22, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Koreans walk across the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 20, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Korean children push a bus in a street in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 20, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean man walks near a building in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 22, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean man looks out from a broken window of a bus in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) #

Two North Korean traffic coordinators holding hands walk on a street in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 22, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Koreans look out from windows of a bus in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 22, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean traffic coordinator stands on duty in Kaesong, North Korea, Sept. 21, 2012. Kaesong sits just north of the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Koreans walk on a street in Kaesong, North Korea, Sept. 21, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean soldier stands outside a restaurant in Kaesong, North Korea, Sept. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

Three North Korean men play chess at a Folk Street in Sariwon, North Korea, Sept. 23, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean girl plays at a game booth at a Folk Street in Sariwon, North Korea, Sept. 23, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Korean monk, Jong Gak Sunim, walks at the Koryo-era Ryongthong temple on Mount Ogwan in Kaesong, North Korea, Sept. 22, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Korean students study at the Kim Chaek University of Technology in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 20, 2012. Kim Chaek University of Technology was founded in 1948, and the university's digital e-library was created in 2005. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

A North Korean musical band performs before the opening of the film festival in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 20, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #

North Korean children perform at the 10th national Korean dress exhibition at Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 19, 2012. (Jon Chol Jin/Associated Press) #

North Korean students sing a patriotic song on a street in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 24, 2012. (Vincent Yu/Associated Press) #