The government says it will finance part of investments by South Korean private companies in North Korean infrastructure.

To that end, the government will revise the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund and implement them within this month.

Under the revised rules, South Korean private companies could borrow from the fund up to 80 percent of the money needed for building ports, roads, communication facilities and power stations in the communist country.

Currently, South Korean private companies are required to put up collateral for their loans from the fund.

Officials say the revision is designed to spur private companies’ investment in North Korean infrastructure.

It will also help increase civilian-level, inter-Korean economic cooperation in North Korea’s Kaesong industrial complex and other areas.