PYONGYANG

Metro

North Koreais to build a replica of Big Ben in a new theme park opening in its capitalPyongyang.

The ‘miniature world’ park will also boast a replica of theEiffelTower.

According to reports, the secretive state is opening up its economy with luxury goods from around the world now on sale inPyongyang.

The news of changes taking place is in contrast to recent concerns about the North Korean regime and its nuclear weapons programme. Its leader Kim Jong-un has threatened to attack theUnited Statesand its allySouth Korea.

According to the reports, thePyongyang’s centre is being transformed. At the centre of this construction boom isChangjon streetwhere a brand-new supermarket sells Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, Coca-Cola and Doritos.

‘Inside supermarkets where shopgirls wear French designer labels, people with money can buy Italian wine, Swiss chocolates, kiwi fruit imported from New Zealand and fresh-baked croissants,’ it was reported.

 ‘They can get facials, lie in tanning booths, play a round of mini golf or sip cappuccinos and cocktails while listening to classical music.’

Despite the apparent changes taking place inNorth Korea, the country remains desperately poor with food shortages widespread and supply of power patchy.