N. Korea to Launch Temporary Shanghai-Pyongyang Charter Tours

FILE - A group of tourists from Shanghai, China, arrive at an airport in Pyongyang.

In an apparent effort to capture more foreign currency from tourists, North Korea will launch temporary flights from Shanghai to Pyongyang next month.

The U.S.-based tour operator Uri tours says it will run new four-day tours to North Korea with charter flights starting July 6.

According to the company’s website, North Korea's Air Koryo will provide the charter service.

The tour will include stops in Pyongyang, the historic city of Kaesong and a visit to the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea.

Some analysts have told VOA that North Korean leader Kim Jung-un is hoping to revive his country’s sagging economy with tourism.

Currently, Air Koryo offers scheduled passenger service from Pyongyang to Beijing and from Pyongyang to the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang.

This report was produced in collaboration with VOA’s Korean Service.