Beginning in May, South Koreans will be able to fly directly from Seoul to the North Korean side of Mount Baekdu.

North Korean state media reports that Pyongyang has agreed to open a direct air route between Seoul and Mount Baekdu, allowing a South Korean firm to begin tours to the tallest peak on the Korean Peninsula in May.

The North’s Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee (KAPPC) and Hyundai Group also agreed to open tours to the North Korean border city of Gaesong.

Before signing the agreement, Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency reported that, during the meeting, Kim spoke amicably about Hyun’s predecessors, the late Chairman Chung Ju-young and other Hyundai and Hyundai Asan chiefs.

The Hyundai Group chairwoman and her party visited Beijing and Pyongyang. They returned to Seoul on Saturday afternoon.