First Instagram images of North Korea shows social media final reaches 'hermit nation'

London : The first pictures from North Korea to be posted to Instagram have emerged, suggesting that the social media revolution has finally reached the isolated country.

The pictures, taken by Jean H Lee, the bureau chief for the Associated Press in Pyongyang, showed everyday street scenes, commuters on their way to work, propaganda posters and dusk settling over the skyline of the city.

According to the Telegraph, some of the other images showed banners in public parks proclaiming the achievements of the scientists and technicians behind North Korea's recent underground nuclear test.

Some showed posters in the lobby of a hotel showing an Unha rocket, which was used to put a satellite into orbit in December.

According to the Telegraph report, North Korea has only just permitted 3G access for foreigners who bring mobile phones into the reclusive state.

Earlier, phones had to be handed in at the border for the duration of a visitor's stay.