Historic step South for North Korean religious delegation

A North Korean religious delegation has set foot in South Korea for the first time in history, despite mounting tension over the North's suspected nuclear weapons program.

The group, comprising 105 leaders including Christians and Buddhists, flew into the South Korean capital Seoul to attend inter-Korean events marking the 84th anniversary of a pro-independence uprising under Japanese colonial rule.

The communist North keeps a tight rein on religious activities although it has recently showed signs of loosening its control of state-sponsored religious groups.