North Korea 'opening to tourists'
North Korea 'opening to tourists'
On Wednesday this week a convoy of busses drove South Korean tourists into the communist-controlled north, in the first tentative steps towards opening the reclusive state up to the world.The busses were on their way to visit the picturesque area of Gaeseong, which is approximately 90 minutes away from the South Korean capital Seoul.
The city of Gaeseong itself is historically significant as it was the site of the capital of the Goryeo dynasty in 1000 AD. There are several historic temples and waterfalls scattered around the city as well.
The country more widely is home to spectacular scenery and many historical sites. The last half-century of communist rule has also given it one of the most singular and little-understood cultures in the world.
North Korea has been formally open to visitors for nine years, but it remains tightly controlled and notoriously suspicious of foreigners.
North Korea's capital is Pyongyang and it is ruled by the dictator Kim Jong-Il. Kim has adopted a "military first" economy which sees much of North Korea's GDP spent on the armed forces, which are the fourth largest numerically in the world.
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6 December 2007
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