The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has signed a tourism agreement with South Korea on the Mountain Paektu and Kaesong areas, the official news agency reported on Saturday.

According to the agreement signed between the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee of DPRK and Hyundai Group of South Korea, the latter is granted the right to conduct tours of Mt. Paektu and Kaesong area.

Both sides agreed to start the tour of notable places in Mt. Paektu from May of 2008 and Kaesong area from early December 2007,said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), quoting the agreement.

A direct Mount Paektu-Seoul air service will be available, the KCNA said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2007)