Diplomatic sources in China say North Korea is likely to lift its temporary blocking of regular visits to the North by South Korean civic organizations that support humanitarian and social projects in the Stalinist state.

The sources, familiar with North Korean issues, said Thursday that Pyongyang will likely allow South Korean civic groups to enter the North after Independence Day, which falls on August 15th.

The sources said they believe the North temporarily blocked visits by South Korean civic groups after inter-Korean economic cooperation projects failed to meet the North