A North Korean official prepares a microphone before the departure ceremony of Mangyongbyong cruise 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A woman holds balloons before 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

A local resident attends the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL SOCIETY) 

Local workers rest before the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors at the port of the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL SOCIETY) 

A man holds plastic flowers during the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

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 Rason 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

A woman holds balloons before the departure ceremony of the Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the North Korean especial economic zone of Rason 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

Local residents attend the departure ceremony of a cruise ship with visitors in the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

A member of a Chinese tourist delegation carries a box with whisky before the departure ceremony of Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the port area of 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

A visitor posses with a cruise ship at the port of Rason, the North Korean special 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TRAVEL) 

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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

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) 

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 Rason 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS FOOD TRAVEL) 

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) 

A waitress onboard of Mangyongbyong cruise ship sits at the bar during a karaoke party near to the North Korean special economic zone of Rason 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: TRAVEL) 

A table with dinner remains is seen on the Mangyongbyong cruise ship near the 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS) 

A waitress onboard of Mangyongbyong cruise ship dances during a karaoke party near to the North Korean special economic zone of Rason 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: TRAVEL) 

A waitress throws garbage overboard as Mangyongbyong cruise ship arrives to the North Korean special economic zone of Rason 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: TRAVEL) 

A waitress eats breakfast on the Mangyongbyong cruise ship near the North Korean special economic zone of Rason 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: SOCIETY TRAVEL) 

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 Rason 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

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 Rason 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TRAVEL) 

A woman holds balloons before the inaugural trip of a visitors cruise ship in Rason, at North Korean special 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

Members of a Chinese delegation arrive at the port of the 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TRAVEL) 

A local vendor receives members of a Chinese tourism delegation at Mount Kumgang resort September 1, 2011. A semblance of international free market-style activity broke out on a dusty roadside in reclusive North Korea on Thursday when about a dozen budding entrepreneurs from a struggling resort set up shop. Spotting an opportunity to make some hard currency, the workers from the Mount Kumgang resort produced a range of wares from locally made wine, honey and jam to traditional dolls and aphrodisiacs. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS TRAVEL) 

Members from a Chinese tourism delegation visit a beach area at Mount Kumgang resort in Kumgang September 1, 2011. 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. Picture taken September 1, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL SOCIETY) 

Members from a Chinese tourism delegation visit a beach area at Mount Kumgang resort in Kumgang September 1, 2011. 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. Picture taken September 1, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL SOCIETY) 

Members of a Chinese delegation walk over rocks at the costal area of the 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

A member of a Chinese delegation takes pictures at the costal area of the 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

A member of a Chinese delegation jumps over a rock at the costal area of the 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL) 

A portrait of North Korean leaders Kim Jong-il (L) and Kim Il-sung are see at Mount Kumgang resort in Kumgang September 1, 2011. 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. Picture taken September 1, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS TRAVEL SOCIETY) 

People point to a map on a wall 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS FOOD TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A man walks past an empty shopping area of the 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS TRAVEL) 

A hotel staff pulls a cart at a hotel in Mount Kumgang resort in Kumgang September 1, 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. Picture taken September 1, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: TRAVEL) 

An empty restaurant is seen at a shopping area of the 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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS) 

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 (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS FOOD) 

Local residents attend the departure ceremony of Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the port area of 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) 

Local residents attend the departure ceremony of Mangyongbyong cruise ship in the port area of 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. Picture taken August 30, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (NORTH KOREA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)