North Korea has allowed foreign aid workers prompt, though limited, access to the site of the Ryongchon train blast.

The North's unusually speedy response, which was not seen during similar reported disasters in the past, drew compliments and cautious speculation from diplomats and aid workers that the accident may help the secretive North to open up, albeit slowly.

But the Los Angeles Times said Wednesday that there hasn't been any real change in the North Korean mode of operation in the wake of last week's train blast.

The paper, quoting Scott Snyder, an Asia Foundation expert on North Korea, said that Pyongyang probably wouldn't have acknowledged the accident had it not taken place so close to the Chinese border where news could seep out.

The report also said the North is being criticized for restricting the flow of outside aid to victims. The paper pointed to North Korea's rejection of an offer by hospitals in the Chinese border city of Dandong to treat patients and Seoul's offer to send a fully staffed and equipped floating hospital or to send emergency medical aid via an overland route.