North Korea plans to develop broadband Internet capabilities linked with the outside world to improve the business environment.

Vice Trade Minister Ri Yong-nam disclosed the plan to a delegation of members of Britain's House of Lords who arrived in Beijing on Friday after a six-day visit to North Korea.

North Korea is one of the world's most isolated countries and Internet access is extremely limited there. Nevertheless, leader Kim Jong-il is said to be a regular Web surfer and a fan of the Internet.