The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) opened the sea route connecting Rason City with Mount Kumgang for tourism Tuesday, the official KCNA news agency said.

The cargo-passenger ship Mangyongbong will carry foreign tourists from Rason City on the DPRK's northeastern tip to Mount Kumgang, a world-famous mountain resort, the KCNA reported.

Tourists could enjoy the scenic view of the East Sea of Korea and climb the mountain, the report said.

The trip lasted four nights and five days, it said.

KCNA said the new service was launched Tuesday in Rason City, which became an economic and trade zone in 1991, the first of the DPRK's experiment with special economic zones.

The ship, full of tourists, left Rajin Port after a ceremony and would enter Kosong Port in Kangwon Province Wednesday, it said.