KHASAN – Two New Zealanders have gained rare permission to cross the heavily guarded DMZ at Panmunjon and motorcycle from North to South Korea.

Motorcycle enthusiasts Gareth and Joanne Morgan entered North Korea from Khasan on Friday to begin a two week trip south to the DMZ as part of a 40,000km ride from Russia to New Zealand.

The couple were met at the north-eastern border crossing of Tumangang on Friday morning by a North Korean delegation and fellow New Zealander Roger Shepherd, known for climbing some of the most remote mountains in North Korea.

Should all go to plan the couple will