The New York Philharmonic, in a cultural breakthrough between America and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, plans to perform in Pyongyan in February, the orchestra's president said Monday.

The concert will be Feb. 26, said Zarin Mehta, the Philharmonic's president and executive director. He refused to give further details, saying a formal announcement of the trip is scheduled for Tuesday.

DPRK's Ministry of Culture sent the orchestra an invitation in August. In October, Mehta spent six days in DPR Korea exploring venues and other arrangements for a potential concert in Pyongyang.

The Philharmonic is following a path cut by orchestras that played a role in diplomacy. In 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra traveled to China soon after President Nixon's historic visit. In 1956, the Boston Symphony became the first American orchestra to perform in the Soviet Union.

(Agencies via Xinhua December 12, 2007)