Domestic tourists visit the beach at Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Wonsan, North Korea's Kangwon Province on July 1, 2025. North Korea opened a massive resort area on its east coast, state media said on July 2, with the tourism pet project of leader Kim Jong Un reportedly set to welcome Russian guests later this month. (Photo by Kim Won Jin/AFP Photo)

U.S. soldiers wrestle with South Korean soldiers in a muddy ring during a joint ranger training exercise at a ranger camp near the demilitarised zone (DMZ) June 25 2003 in Paju, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

South Korean divers prepare to plunge through a hole in the ice of the frozen Imjin River on January 16, 2005 in Yeonchun, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Members of the South Korean Special Weapons and Tactics team exhibit their skill during anti-terrorism exercises at a training camp on May 30, 2005 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung Jun/Getty Images)

A man inspects a plastic cover placed over an artwork attributed to Banksy on May 17, 2012 in London, England. The stencilled image depicts a poor child making Union Jack flags on a sewing machine and is located on the wall of a Poundland discount shop in the Wood Green area of north London. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid)

North Korea has closed its borders in fear of the spread of the Ebola virus. But at a time when the secretive state was still welcoming tourists, former aid worker Andrew Macleod made the journey to the repressive nation. Andrew's holiday snaps and camera footage provide a unique insight into the reclusive country, where he came across deserted motorways, metro stations plastered with propaganda and attractive border guards. Here: a female traffic police officer in the snow in February 2013, in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Photo by Andrew Macleod/Barcroft Media)

15-year old American girl Donica Streling meets with members of SHINee (샤이니) at SM Entertainment head office on June 20, 2012 in Seoul, South Korea. Donica, diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, visited Seoul, South Korea to meet her favorite K-pop groups SHINee and Super Junior after finding hope in listening to Korean pop. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun)