Philharmonic Orchestra to Make N Korea Trip

New York's Philharmonic Orchestra will make a historic trip to North Korea in February, it has announced. Orchestra president Zarin Mehta said it would play in the capital Pyongyang on February 26. The reclusive communist country's ministry of culture sent an invitation to the orchestra in August. This is the first US cultural visit to North Korea, and it is being seen as a breakthrough in the countries' tense relationship. Mr. Mehta said he had spent six days in Pyongyang in October looking into concert venues and making other arrangements for the trip. The North Korean trip follows in the tradition of cultural visits which have played a role in US diplomacy with communist countries.