North Korea reportedly signed an agreement with a New York-based company for operating tours to the North's Mount Geumgang resort.

President of Korea Pyongyang Trading U.S.A. Steve Park says his trade company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with North Korea on tourism at the mountain resort.

The agreement stipulates that Park's company will be in charge of marketing, investment and tourist recruitment in the Americas. The MOU also calls for developing the mountain area into a multipurpose tourist resort.

Park says he plans to visit North Korea sometime next week to discuss detailed business plans. He adds the North is also expected to select Japanese and Chinese business partners soon.

North Korea had earlier stated it would only operate tours to Mount Geumgang on its own after South Korean companies pulled out in 2008 following the shooting death of a South Korean tourist.