Seven more video conference centers for inter-Korean family reunions will be completed by the end of this month, according to the Unification Ministry.

Deputy spokesperson Cha Deok-cheol said in a Friday briefing that building more centers in advance is very important so that reunions can resume immediately when cross-border relations are restored.

The government decided in June to use close to one-point-two billion won from the inter-Korean cooperation fund to set up seven more centers nationwide in addition to the existing 13. 

Cha said nothing has been decided yet on possible video reunions during Chuseok next month, even though hope for the event had been growing since communication lines were reconnected late last month.

Talks have not progressed as North Korea again cut off the lines in protest of the South Korea-U.S. military exercise. Seoul made its regular liaison office phone call Friday morning, but the North did not respond.