A new promotional video supposedly showing the every-day life of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang has recently been released online.

However Professor Andrew O’Neil from the Griffith Asia Institute says viewers should not let themselves be distracted by pretty pictures and flashy imagery.

“The overwhelming majority of North Koreans are brutally repressed by a horrible regime that will do anything to hang onto power.

“If you’re not part of the chosen few in North Korea, your life is nasty, brutish and short,” he said.

Professor O’Neil pointed to the findings of a recent UN investigation led Australia’s Michael Kirby as proof of the regime’s brutality and amorality.

“We have evidence to conclude that the regime has tightened its grip over the country and particular since the current leader Kim Jong Un came into power,” he said.

Read the full article and further comment from Professor O’Neil on news.com.au.