By the way folks, some of you might be interested in a couple of facts. North Korea is allowing US citizens in on very restricted visas for July, 2002 only, as it celebrates the life of the Great Kim Il Sung. However, there is another possibility for Americans who might wish to cross into the north. Hyundai Corporation in South Korea now has three-day cruise tours to Mt. Kumgang, DPR Korea from South Korea. Boats leave in the morning from the south, arrive in the North in the early afternoon where visitors are met and taken on two days of hiking around these sacred mountains. Third day is return back to South Korea. This is the only way South Koreans are permitted to travel to DPRK, and I think even US citizens can get on these tours as well. I was supposed to go there in July by invitation from some colleagues in the south (with my Canadian passport rather than my US passport), but I'm unable because my baby is due for surgery at the time.
Anyway, this is a much cheaper alternative way of getting to North Korea if anyone is interested. The three-day trip costs about $500.
Dallen