South Korean civilians will visit North Korea to hold a joint event to mark National Foundation Day this Friday.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said that it approved on Wednesday a civic group’s request for a trip to the North.

With the approval, 36 South Korean civilians will visit Pyongyang for three days beginning on Friday. They will attend the joint celebratory event. 

The visitors include representatives of the Cheondogyo indigenous religion and members of the civic group related to Korea's legendary founder Dangun.

The ministry said the Seoul government has permitted non-political social and cultural exchanges with the North, and plans to continue to do so.