
The West has long been fascinated with North Korea – from the reports of crippling famine under a controversial leader to the striking timewarp lifestyle that isolation has brought.

But a new collection of eye-opening photos has shed light on a previously unseen demographic – the affluent North Korean elite.

Crushing stereotypes, this thriving urban community has been captured sporting designer handbags and mobile phones, taking horse riding lessons, driving Audis and enjoying light aircraft flights over the capital.

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North Korea's super wealthy, known as 'Donju' meaning the masters of money sport designer clothes and accessories

Wealthy city dwellers can now also take micro plane flights over Pyongyang in a four-seater aircraft

These entrepreneurs and their families and friends make up around 10 per cent of the country’s population and they are an elite that the regime turns a blind eye to. Above, a North Korean takes a horse riding lesson

A major economic indicator of the nation's emerging wealth is that 13-15 per cent of the population now own mobile phones

North Korea's super wealthy, known as 'Donju', meaning the masters of money, reside in the capital Pyongyang and the major growth cities of Chongjin, Wonson and Hamhung.

These entrepreneurs and their families and friends make up around 10 per cent of the country’s population and they are an elite that the regime turns a blind eye to, according to Chad O’Carroll, director of NK News.

The Seoul-based journalist told MailOnline Travel that a major economic indicator of the nation's emerging wealth is that 13-15 per cent of the population now own mobile phones.

The popularity of this gadget is evident in the images taken by Christian Petersen-Clausen, who was commissioned by NK News to produce a 2017 calendar of snaps on a Koryo tour of the country in October.

The powerful photographs serve to demystify an enigmatic nation the world still knows little about.

O’Carroll said: ‘One thing you don’t see in the pictures is the luxury brands being sold – the widescreen TVs, Mont Blanc belts, wallets, the Audi A6 proudly on display.’

Despite the import of luxury goods to North Korea, breaching UN sanctions, these items are arriving at a premium via China.

O’Carroll added: ‘There are six independent taxi companies in Pyongyang and they take payment in US dollars not local currency.’

Wealthy city dwellers can now even take micro plane flights over Pyongyang in a four-seater Cessna aircraft.

After 2009 it became difficult for the regime to rule with an iron fist over products or private wealth. There was an increase in toleration. Above, a local drives an Audi A6 through the streets of the capital

‘The government don’t want to upset where they feel they have nothing to gain, so they have to accept these groups even if they are contradictory to its socialist constitution,’ explained Chad O’Carroll, director of NK News

Despite the import of luxury goods to North Korea breaching UN sanctions these items are arriving at a premium via China. Two men gaze at a compact camera

The affluent few reside in the capital Pyongyang and the major growth cities of Chongjin, Wonson and Hamhung. A couple sport colourful international fashions and pose with their pet Dalmation

Back in 2009 these privileged few were not so conspicuous, revealed O'Carroll.

He noted that following the country’s devastating famines of the mid 1990s, the ration system collapsed and the fall-out from this economic mismanagement came to a head only recently.

He explained: ‘In 2009 North Korea’s monetary reform shocked the economy and after that we started to see the emergence of quite a wealthy middle class.

‘It became difficult for the regime to rule with an iron fist over products or private wealth. There was an increase in toleration.

‘The government don’t want to upset where they feel they have nothing to gain, so they have to accept these groups even if they are contradictory to its socialist constitution.’

O’Carroll said: ‘One thing you don’t see in the pics is the luxury brands being sold – the widescreen TVs, Mont Blanc belts, wallets, the Audi A6 proudly on display.’ A commuter strolls along while glancing at his mobile phone

O'Carroll explained: ‘In 2009 North Korea’s monetary reform shocked the economy and after that we started to see the emergence of quite a wealthy middle class. Left, a man in an Adidas top talks on his mobile phones ear piece with his pet dog and right, a suited businessman carries designer hand luggage

There are six independent taxi companies in Pyongyang and they take payment in US dollars not local currency

The powerful photographs serve to demystify an enigmatic nation the world still knows little about

Entrepreneurs who make up around 2 per cent of the population are fuelling the rise of the Donju as their families and friends are benefiting from their wealth

However this wealth is still confined to a few urbanites, O’Carroll admitted.

He said: ‘The rest of the country is still rural and they have little opportunity to enjoy these pleasures.

'There are tough conditions in the north where in the winter temperatures drop to -20C and there is very little heating.

‘People in countryside are exposed to TV and domestic newspaper. They can see it but just don’t have it.’

Acknowledging the endless contradictions of this country, O'Carroll outlined why the West is still intrigued.

He concluded: ‘It's isolated like a time capsule. It’s incredible that in 2016 a country like North Korea exists surrounded by two of the biggest economies - China and Japan.

'South Korea is just over the border and North Korea is 40 times worse off, with no access to the internet.’

However this affluence is confined to a few urbanites revealed O’Carroll. He said: ‘The rest of the country is still rural and they have little opportunity to enjoy these pleasures

‘People in countryside are exposed to TV and domestic newspaper. They can see it but just don’t have it.’

Locals cross the railway tracks on their bicycles which are a common form of transport in North Korea

A land of contradictions: O'Carroll said that the West's fascination continues because He 'it's isolated like a time capsule'