Ebola fears close China-DPRK cross-border tourism

Tourist excursions between northeast China's Jilin Province and the neighboring Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were suspended on Friday, local travel agencies said.

According to travel agencies in Yanbian, a Korean autonomous prefecture, all travel to the DPRK has been suspended and those who have already signed up on tour groups will get a full refund.

"We were informed by tourism department of Rason city that foreign tourists will be prohibit from entering the country from Friday," said Zhang Hongyu, staff with Kanghui travel agency in Yanbian.

Earlier reports said the DPRK had closed its border due to the growing Ebola threat, and the border will not be reopened until the crisis is cleared.

The tourism between China and the DPRK was suspended last year, but resumed shortly after.