This cruise from China to North korea is sure to become a serious rival for cruises around the Caribbean islands very soon.
1
A visitor posses with a cruise ship at the port of Rason, the North
Korean especial economic zone, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011.
Destitute North Korea's push to breathe new life into its economic
relationships with China and Russia appears to be bearing fruit in the
far north of the country where foreigners are busily helping to rebuild
the region's creaking infrastructure. A top local official told
reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had invested heavily in the
region in order to gain access to its three east coast ports in the
towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main centres for the secretive
North's Rason Special Economic Zone. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
2
Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon, northeast
of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to breathe
new life into its economic relationships with China and Russia appears
to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where foreigners are
busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking infrastructure. A top
local official told reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had
invested heavily in the region in order to gain access to its three east
coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main
centres for the secretive North's Rason Special Economic Zone.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
3
Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon, located
northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to
breathe new life into its economic relationships with China and Russia
appears to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where
foreigners are busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking
infrastructure. A top local official told reporters on Tuesday that
China and Russia had invested heavily in the region in order to gain
access to its three east coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon,
which are the main centres for the secretive North's Rason Special
Economic Zone. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
4
Local workers rest before the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors at the port of the North Korean especial economic zone of
Razon, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's
push to breathe new life into its economic relationships with China and
Russia appears to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where
foreigners are busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking
infrastructure. A top local official told reporters on Tuesday that
China and Russia had invested heavily in the region in order to gain
access to its three east coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon,
which are the main centres for the secretive North's Rason Special
Economic Zone. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
5
A local resident attends the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon, northeast
of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to breathe
new life into its economic relationships with China and Russia appears
to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where foreigners are
busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking infrastructure. A top
local official told reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had
invested heavily in the region in order to gain access to its three east
coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main
centres for the secretive North's Rason Special Economic Zone.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
6
Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon, northeast
of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to breathe
new life into its economic relationships with China and Russia appears
to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where foreigners are
busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking infrastructure. A top
local official told reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had
invested heavily in the region in order to gain access to its three east
coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main
centres for the secretive North's Rason Special Economic Zone.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
7
Local workers rest before the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors at the port of the North Korean especial economic zone of
Razon, located northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North
Korea's push to breathe new life into its economic relationships with
China and Russia appears to be bearing fruit in the far north of the
country where foreigners are busily helping to rebuild the region's
creaking infrastructure. A top local official told reporters on Tuesday
that China and Russia had invested heavily in the region in order to
gain access to its three east coast ports in the towns of Rajin and
Songbon, which are the main centres for the secretive North's Rason
Special Economic Zone. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
8
A woman holds balloons before the inaugural trip of a visitors cruise
ship in Rason, at North Korean especial economic zone, located northeast
of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to breathe
new life into its economic relationships with China and Russia appears
to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where foreigners are
busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking infrastructure. A top
local official told reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had
invested heavily in the region in order to gain access to its three east
coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main
centres for the secretive North's Rason Special Economic Zone.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
9
A soldier guards as local residents attend the departure ceremony of a
cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of
Razon, located northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North
Korea's push to breathe new life into its economic relationships with
China and Russia appears to be bearing fruit in the far north of the
country where foreigners are busily helping to rebuild the region's
creaking infrastructure. A top local official told reporters on Tuesday
that China and Russia had invested heavily in the region in order to
gain access to its three east coast ports in the towns of Rajin and
Songbon, which are the main centres for the secretive North's Rason
Special Economic Zone. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
10
Local residents wave as a cruise ship with visitors leaves the port in
the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon, located northeast of
Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to breathe new
life into its economic relationships with China and Russia appears to be
bearing fruit in the far north of the country where foreigners are
busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking infrastructure. A top
local official told reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had
invested heavily in the region in order to gain access to its three east
coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main
centres for the secretive North's Rason Special Economic Zone.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
11
Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with
visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon, northeast
of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's push to breathe
new life into its economic relationships with China and Russia appears
to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where foreigners are
busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking infrastructure. A top
local official told reporters on Tuesday that China and Russia had
invested heavily in the region in order to gain access to its three east
coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon, which are the main
centres for the secretive North's Rason Special Economic Zone.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
12
A man holds plastic flowers during the departure ceremony of a cruise
ship with visitors in the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon,
located northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. Destitute North Korea's
push to breathe new life into its economic relationships with China and
Russia appears to be bearing fruit in the far north of the country where
foreigners are busily helping to rebuild the region's creaking
infrastructure. A top local official told reporters on Tuesday that
China and Russia had invested heavily in the region in order to gain
access to its three east coast ports in the towns of Rajin and Songbon,
which are the main centres for the secretive North's Rason Special
Economic Zone. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
13
A cruise ship crew member looks at the port of Mount Kumgang resort in
Kumgang August 31, 2011. Long grass grows around the idle hotels, shops
are covered in cobwebs and a big padlock hangs off the front of the bank
at the deserted shopping centre. This is a North Korean ghost-town, one
funded by its wealthy southern neighbours. The deserted Mount Kumgang
tourist resort was once a symbol of cooperation between the two Koreas,
but today is stark reminder of the big divide that still stands between
the sides who are still technically at war having only signed an
armistice, not a peace treaty, to the end 1950-53 Korean War. Three
years ago the shooting of a South Korean tourist by a North Korean
soldier here resulted in Seoul halting tours to the complex, effectively
drying up a source of much needed hard currency for the impoverished
North. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
14
North Korean officials stand at a port area as a cruise ship with
Chinese visitors arrive at the Mount Kumgang resort August 31, 2011.
Long grass grows around the idle hotels , shops are covered in cobwebs
and a big padlock hangs off the front of the bank at the deserted
shopping centre. This is a North Korean ghost-town, one funded by its
wealthy southern neighbours. The deserted Mount Kumgang tourist resort
was once a symbol of cooperation between the two Koreas, but today is
stark reminder of the big divide that still stands between the sides who
are still technically at war having only signed an armistice, not a
peace treaty, to the end 1950-53 Korean War. Three years ago the
shooting of a South Korean tourist by a North Korean soldier here
resulted in Seoul halting tours to the complex, effectively drying up a
source of much needed hard currency for the impoverished North.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
15
North Korean officials wave as the Mangyongbyong cruise ship leaves the
port of Mount Kumgang resort during its inaugural trip as a cruise ship
September 1, 2011. The North Korean state launched itself into the
glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from
the rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic
Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border. Isolated North
Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company
to run the country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne
vessel which once plied the waters off the east coast of the divided
peninsula shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
16
A member of a Chinese tourism delegation sits at the deck of
Mangyongbyong cruise ship near Mount Kumgang resort September 1, 2011.
The North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise
tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of
Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort
near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism
bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's
first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied
the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling
passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
17
A member of a Chinese tourism delegation sleeps next to pictures of
North Korean leaders Kim Jong-il (R) and Kim Il-sung aboard the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship during its inaugural trip September 1, 2011.
The North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise
tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of
Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort
near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism
bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's
first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied
the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling
passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH
KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
18
Local residents stand next to the Mangyongbyong cruise ship before its
departure at the port of the North Korean especial economic zone of
Razon City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. The North Korean
state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about
130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up
with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
19
A soldier stands before the departure of the Mangyongbyong cruise ship
at the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon City, northeast of
Pyongyang August 30, 2011. The North Korean state launched itself into
the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130 passengers set sail
from the rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the
scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border. Isolated North
Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel
company to run the country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700
tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the east coast of the
divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
20
A woman holds balloons before the departure ceremony of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the North Korean especial economic zone of
Razon City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. The North Korean
state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about
130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up
with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
21
Local residents wait in attendance of the departure ceremony of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship at the port of the North Korean especial
economic zone of Razon City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. The
North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise
tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of
Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort
near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism
bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's
first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied
the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling
passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
22
Members of a Chinese tourism delegation sit at the deck of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship during its inaugural trip as a cruise ship
near the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon City August 30,
2011. The North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of
cruise tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port
of Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang
resort near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state
tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the
country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which
once plied the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula
shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos
Barria
23
Members of a Chinese tourism delegation sit at the deck of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship during its inaugural trip as a cruise ship
near the North Korean especial economic zone of Razon City August 30,
2011. The North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of
cruise tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port
of Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang
resort near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state
tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the
country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which
once plied the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula
shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos
Barria
24
Beer and dried fish are seen at a deck area of the Mangyongbyong cruise
ship during its inaugural trip as a cruise ship near the North Korean
special economic zone of Razon City August 30, 2011. The North Korean
state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about
130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up
with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS
FOOD TRAVEL)
25
Members of a Chinese tourism delegation dance aboard the Mangyongbyong
cruise ship during its inaugural trip as a cruise ship near the North
Korean special economic zone of Razon City August 30, 2011. The North
Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism
when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near
the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the
South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has
teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever
cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters
off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between
North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
26
Members of a Chinese tourism delegation board the Mangyongbyong cruise
ship at the port of Mount Kumgang resort September 1, 2011. The North
Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism
when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near
the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the
South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has
teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever
cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters
off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between
North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
27
A member of a Chinese tourism delegation relaxes in a cabin of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship near Mount Kumgang resort September 1, 2011.
The North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise
tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of
Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort
near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism
bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's
first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied
the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling
passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH
KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
28
Workers of the Mangyongbyong cruise ship stand on the deck, near Mount
Kumgang resort September 1, 2011. The North Korean state launched itself
into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130 passengers set
sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for
the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border. Isolated
North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel
company to run the country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700
tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the east coast of the
divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
29
A waitress eats breakfast on the Mangyongbyong cruise ship near the
North Korean special economic zone of Razon City, northeast of Pyongyang
September 2, 2011. North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy
world of cruise tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the
rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic
Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border. Isolated North
Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company
to run the country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne
vessel which once plied the waters off the east coast of the divided
peninsula shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
30
A waitress throws garbage overboard as Mangyongbyong cruise ship
arrives to the North Korean special economic zone of Razon City,
northeast of Pyongyang September 2, 2011. North Korean state launched
itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130 passengers
set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border,
for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border.
Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up with a Chinese
travel company to run the country's first ever cruise aboard an ageing
9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the east coast of the
divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North Korea and Japan.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
31
A man stands near a wharf damaged by Mangyongbyong cruise ship during
its first trip as a cruise ship, in North Korean special economic zone
of Razon City, northeast of Pyongyang September 2, 2011. North Korean
state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about
130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's 'state tourism bureau' has teamed
up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
32
An employee enters a room at a hotel in Mount Kumgang resort in Kumgang
September 1, 2011. Impoverished North Korea appears to have emerged
from the depths of a bad winter and late spring in reasonable shape, at
least in the far north and south, where a variety of crops are nearly
ready for harvest. The North has pleaded for food aid this year due to
bad weather and the impact of international sanctions imposed for its
nuclear programme, winning donations in recent months from Russia, the
European Union and U.N. organisations after sending in their own
assessment teams. But South Korea and the United States have so far
refused food aid, granting only emergency aid to help the impoverished
state deal with flood damage from a series of bad storms in the middle
of the year. Picture taken September 1, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
33
A waitress onboard of Mangyongbyong cruise ship dances during a karaoke
party near to the North Korean special economic zone of Razon City,
northeast of Pyongyang September 2, 2011. North Korean state launched
itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130 passengers
set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the China-Russia border,
for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South Korean border.
Isolated North Korea's 'state tourism bureau' has teamed up with a
Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise aboard an
ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the east coast
of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North Korea and
Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
34
A waitress onboard of Mangyongbyong cruise ship sits at the bar during a
karaoke party near to the North Korean special economic zone of Razon
City, northeast of Pyongyang September 2, 2011. North Korean state
launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130
passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's 'state tourism bureau' has teamed
up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
35
A woman prepares a red carpet for the departure ceremony of
Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the North Korean Special Economic Zone of
Rason City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. North Korean state
launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130
passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up
with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
36
Local residents attend the departure ceremony of the Mangyongbyong
cruise ship in the port area of North Korean Special Economic Zone of
Rason City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011. North Korea launched
itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when about 130
passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up
with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
37
A soldier stands guard as local residents attend the departure ceremony
of the Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the port area of North Korean
Special Economic Zone of Rason City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30,
2011. North Korea launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise
tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of
Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort
near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism
bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's
first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied
the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling
passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
38
A woman prepares balloons before the departure ceremony of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the port area of North Korean Special
Economic Zone of Rason City, northeast of Pyongyang August 30, 2011.
North Korea launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise tourism when
about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of Rajin, near the
China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort near the South
Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism bureau has teamed up
with a Chinese travel company to run the country's first ever cruise
aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied the waters off the
east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling passengers between North
Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
39
Members of a Chinese tourism delegation relax at the top deck of the
Mangyongbyong cruise ship near Mount Kumgang resort September 1, 2011.
The North Korean state launched itself into the glitzy world of cruise
tourism when about 130 passengers set sail from the rundown port of
Rajin, near the China-Russia border, for the scenic Mount Kumgang resort
near the South Korean border. Isolated North Korea's state tourism
bureau has teamed up with a Chinese travel company to run the country's
first ever cruise aboard an ageing 9,700 tonne vessel which once plied
the waters off the east coast of the divided peninsula shuttling
passengers between North Korea and Japan. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
