AP opens full news bureau in North Korea

Pyongyang - The Associated Press opened its newest bureau in North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Monday, becoming the first international news organization with a full-time presence in the hermit country.

Associated Press (AP), based in the United States, had signed a series of agreements with North Korea's state news agency Kcna (Korean Central News Agency) last September. Today a small ceremony was held for the opening of this new office, which will allow foreign journalists to work on a permanent basis within North Korea to cover news in words, pictures and video. In 2006, AP had already opened a video office in Pyongyang, the first for a foreign news agency north of the 18th parallel. The opening of a fully operational office is an important turning point, especially considering that North Korea has never had official relations with Washington. "Beyond this door lies a path to vastly larger understanding and cultural enrichment for millions around the world," AP President and CEO Tom Curley said at the ceremony. "We pledge to do our best to reflect accurately the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as well as what they do and say." The event happens at a critical time, immediately after the death of Kim Jong-il and the ascension of his young son Kim Jong-un as the new leader of the country. "We are moving towards a path of understanding and cultural enrichment for millions of people around the world," Mr Curley said. "We will do our best to accurately reflect the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as well as what they do and say."