North Korea lures foreign tourists with huge discounts for next year's marathon event SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - North Korea appears to be eager to earn hard currency, as it has already started offering deals for its annual marathon event for next spring. According to ads on Tuesday by Koryo Tours, a Beijing-based agency specializing in travel to the isolated country, early-bird discounts of 50 percent are available until Sept. 1 for those who sign up for the Pyongyang International Marathon, which is scheduled for April next year. Without detailed itineraries and oth July 22, 2025

North Korea hails UNESCO listing of Mt. Kumgang SEOUL, July 16 (AJP) - North Korean state media on Wednesday reported the country’s recent inclusion of Mt. Kumkang on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The news coverage came about three days after the decision was made at the international body's annual gathering in Paris over the weekend. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) hailed the decision, saying that the country's scenic mountain was recognized for its "exquisite harmony of cultural tradition July 16, 2025

Russian airliner to launch direct flights to Pyongyang SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - A direct flight linking Pyongyang and Moscow will be launched later this month, Russia's Transport Ministry said Monday. According to the ministry, Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines will offer the first-ever direct passenger flights to Pyongyang twice a week starting in late July, connecting the two countries' capitals. The non-stop route, which takes about eight hours, was approved last week by Russia's aviation authorities following a request July 15, 2025

N. Korean leader meets Russian foreign minister, reaffirms deepening ties with Moscow SEOUL, July 13 (AJP) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday in Wonsan, reinforcing a growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow amid heightened global tensions, Pyongyang's state media the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Sunday. Lavrov's visit, which followed the second foreign ministerial strategic dialogue between the two countries, was marked by a show of unity on key international and region July 13, 2025