Departures: First into North Korea

NORTH KOREA, which has been closed to tourists for almost 70 years, features in a new tour offered by the Meridian Travel Company (071- 431 5393). The 15-day North Korean Odyssey, which costs pounds 2,250, includes visits to Thailand and China as well as an extensive tour of North Korea, with a visit to the military demarcation line separating North from South Korea.