Former British envoy embarks on group tour to N. Korea

SEOUL, Oct 15 (Yonhap) -- A former British envoy to Pyongyang and a group of people interested in North Korea gathered in Beijing on Saturday to embark on a 12-day journey to one of the most reclusive countries in the world rarely seen by foreigners, a U.S. report said Saturday.

Political Tours, a British tour agency, launched the trip that runs through Oct. 26 for 15 people. The group will be guided by regional experts, including James Hoare, who served as Britain's first envoy to Pyongyang from 2001-2002, Radio Free Asia (RFA) said in its report.

On Saturday, leading regional and international experts in Beijing briefed the participants about current issues regarding the communist country and its regime led by Kim Jong-il. They also cautioned the tourists about traveling in the country. After the three-day tour orientation, they fly to Pyongyang on Tuesday, the agency said.

"The tour aims to provide both the latest analysis on the region... and an inside view of life in the country with visits to areas rarely seen by foreigners," Political Tours said on its website.

During their trip, the group will visit Pyongyang, the eastern port city of Wonsan and Hamhung, the second largest city, which was closed to foreigners until last year. The visitors will gain rare access to factories, farms and schools there, the agency said.

"The tour is designed to give the best possible insight into the lives of ordinary Koreans today," it said.

The agency said it has combined the group tour with Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based travel agency that specializes in tours of North Korea. The trip costs 2,350 euros (3.7 million won) per person.

Political Tours, established by New York Times Balkans correspondent Nicholas Wood, organizes trips to the world's conflict regions, including Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey and Ethiopia, with aims to give people firsthand experience in the latest developments in political affairs.