Union officials said Saturday unionized South Korean teachers are promoting a visit to Pyongyang to hold talks with their North Korean counterparts on educational cooperation.

An official with the Korean Teacher Education Workers' Union was quoted as saying that preparations for the North Korean visit are underway and that representatives would soon make an official announcement on the plan.

He was speaking in response to local media reports that some 130 KTU union members will make a five-day visit to Pyongyang from July 29. Reports in the Dong-a Ilbo and other media outlets said the teachers' union is seeking approval from the Unification and Education ministries.

If the union's plan is realized, it would mark the first time that an official-level South Korean delegation of education representatives would have visited the North.