The following locations were accessed by international telephone just now (one of the popular low cost service options, generally this is not possible to my knowledge from South Korea or the USA:
KCNA News Pyongyang (the official DPRK News Agency main numbers (2 were used): "Reorder" sound, i.e. a fast busy signal on several attempts, calls would not go through
Pyongyang Hotel: No connection, call dropped out upon going through.
Sisan Hotel: Phone rang and rang and rang, nobody picked up (this at after 9 a.m. local on a weekday).
Koryo Hotel: (BINGO!): Call went through, female front desk clerk answered in Korean" Good morning, this is Koryo Hotel." Voice was normal, even chirpy, not a hint of solace or grief. Did not engage in conversation.
Taeddongang Hotel: Call would not go through.
So it is a mixed bag.
Calls to official agences are being blocked from the outside or are simply flooded. Calls to hotels, where foreigners stay, in some cases make it through or at least reach a ringing number.
Just food for thought as to how "hermetically sealed" the Hermit Kingdom is this a.m.....
AiT
Good fieldwork as usual. I guess they are keen to receive reservations from foreigners after the mourning is over. They need every penny they can earn.