Tourism Industry

The development of UNESCO and the Silk Road Promotion Committee of the World Tourist Organization (WTO)-sponsored Silk Road tourist program is now underway in the DPRK. The name of Silk Road is derived from the old route of trade and cultural interchange linking the East and West through central Asia. From Kojoson(Ancient Korea), Koguryo to Koryo(a feudal kingdom of Korea), Korean silk, Insam(ginseng) and Koryo celadon made their way to other countries through this route. Tangun's Korea(Kojoson) was the first producer of silk in the world. The periods from 10th to the 13th century witnessed the highest prosperity of trade through the Silk Road in Korea. Pyokrando Port at the mouth of the river Ryesong, Kaegyong(capital of Koryo, Kaesong  at present) was known as a world-renowned trade port.  Through this port Koryo goods were exported to Sung Dynasty of China, Japan, India and Mid-east countries. According to records at the time, an endless stream of foreign merchant vessels sailed along the River Ryesong to Pyokrando Port.  The route of the Silk Road tourism covers Pyongyang, Kaesong and Mt. Myohang. Tourists will see historical relics from Kojoson and Koguryo and the manufacturing of silk and Koryo celadon and Insam cultivation.

The World Tourism Organization(WTO) signed an agreement with the Hyundai Asan Corporation of the Republic of Korea to conduct a Preparatory Assistance Plan for sustainable tourism development in Mount Kumngang in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Hyundai Asan Corporation has been given the license to develop the Kumgang mountains for tourism purposes. The Kumgang mountains have a very fragile ecosystem and the aim of the project was to assist the Hyundai Asan Corporation in undertaking physical and area planning for Mt. Kumgang and its surrounding areas with a view to ensuring a high degree of sustainable tourism development. A team of four international consultants completed project activities between September and October 2003 and WTO will submit the final report to the Hyundai Asan Corporation in February 2003.