|
|
|
ㆍ추천: 0  
|
|
|
North Korea restricting tourism because of Ebola fears, tour groups say
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Tour groups to N. Korea say that starting Friday, nation isn't allowing international tourists in
KCNA: Travelers will "undergo more thorough-going check and quarantine ... than ever before"
No cases of Ebola have been reported in Asia
Beijing (CNN) -- North Korea is closing its borders to international tourists because of concerns about Ebola, tour agencies specializing in the country were told.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours and Young Pioneers Tours issued statements Thursday saying they received news "from our partners in Pyongyang" that international tourists will not be allowed to enter North Korea, starting Friday.
"It is presently unknown how long this closure will be in effect for but we are hopeful that our planned tours in November and December will take place," Koryo Tours said.
KCNA, the country's state-run news agency, said North Korea is taking "preventive measures" Friday to "control the infection by Ebola."
It stated that travelers would "undergo more thorough-going check and quarantine ... than ever before." North Korea's public health agencies are "regularly examining all people in order to rapidly confirm people suspicious of having contracted the disease and taking measures to treat them," KCNA reported.
The report did not state explicitly that it was closing its borders to international tourists. It remains unclear if business travelers to North Korea will be affected.
In recent years, North Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for international tourists, including Americans, despite a U.S. State Department warning not to travel there because of the recent detentions of its citizens.
This is not the first time North Korea is restricting its borders because of disease concerns. In 2003, the country temporarily shut its borders as the SARS epidemic swept eastern Asia.
Currently, there are no reported Ebola cases in Asia.
Six West African countries, including Mali, have been hit by the virus, which the World Health Organization reported has killed more than 4,800 people.
Most of the deaths have been in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. But fears about Ebola's spread have mounted since the infections of health care workers in the United States and Spain.
A stern looking North Korean guard by the Chinese border customs office. This image was deleted by North Korean officials. A stern looking North Korean guard by the Chinese border customs office. This image was deleted by North Korean officials.
Writer Johan Nylander and his guide, Ko Chang Ho, watch as a North Korean guard deletes 90 photos deemed unacceptable. Nylander was able to recover the photos with the help of an IT specialist -- the images that follow are an edited selection.
This propaganda monument of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il by a countryside road, not far from the border to China, was deleted by authorities. North Korea required images of leaders be full body shots.
People standing by the train track, while a guard is monitoring the bike race.
In the city of Rason, people are leaning out of windows to get a glimpse of the Western cyclists.
A woman and a man walking by the side of the road lined with cornfields.
Villagers waving by the race path.
Guards and custom officials by the border to China.
By the border checkpoint next to the Tumen River, North Korean customs officials can play volleyball. Officials prohibited any photos of North Korean military bases.
Peasants and villagers standing by the road to look at the Western cyclists
Guard keeping an eye on the bikers next to a small village.
Kids playing outside village houses.
Spectators waiting for the bikers to reach the finish line. In the background the "Great" and "Dear Leaders" Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong-Il.
Huge crowds -- some of whom standing on their own bikes -- as they await cyclists by the race finish line in Rason.
Custom official and tourist bureau guide checking foreigners' passports.
Guides from the local tourist bureau handing out water bottles to bikers, monitored by a guard in the background.
Journalist Johan Nylander and his North Korean guide, Ko Chang Ho. EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was not among those deleted by North Korean officials.
By David McKenzie and Madison Park, CNN
October 24, 2014 -- Updated 1612 GMT (0012 HKT)
|
| 
|
영남뉴스(ynnews.pe.kr/(sea4season@nate.com))
|
|
