North Korea is now open for international tourists

After a gap of five years, the country has eased curbs and reopened its borders to promote international tourism

- AP

A small group of foreign tourists has visited North Korea in the past week, making them the first international travelers to enter the country in five years except for a group of Russian tourists who went to the North last year.

The latest trip indicates North Korea may be gearing up for a full resumption of its international tourism to bring in much-needed foreign currency to revive its struggling economy, experts say.

The Beijing-based travel company Koryo Tours said it arranged a five-day trip from 20-24 February for 13 international tourists to the northeastern North Korean border city of Rason, where the country's special economic zone is located.