N. Korea's nuclear test heroes win Pyongyang trip
North Korea is rewarding the scientists and workers behind its recent nuclear test with a fun-packed visit to Pyongyang to enjoy "the greatest privileges," state media said Wednesday.
Scientists, technicians, workers and officials behind the February 12 test will visit the capital as the guests of the ruling Workers' Party, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
"They will spend significant days in Pyongyang, enjoying the greatest privileges and preferential treatment," KCNA said, promising a "joyful and delightful time" at the city's open-air ice rink and roller skating centre.
The group will also visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, which holds the embalmed bodies of North Korea's founder Kim Il-Sung and his son and former leader Kim Jong-Il.
North Korea's third nuclear test was its most powerful to date, with Pyongyang claiming a breakthrough with a "miniaturised" device.
While the outside world was united in condemnation, the test triggered days of orchestrated celebrations and mass rallies in North Korea.
The test followed a widely criticised long-range rocket launch in December, which the UN Security Council saw as a disguised ballistic missile test.
The North's current leader, Kim Jong-Un, awarded state medals and other benefits to the hundreds of scientists who worked on the rocket launch.
(c) 2013 AFP
