South Koreans who are under investigation or on trial will soon be allowed to make a short-term tour of North Korea without government-issued approval.

Deputy Unification Minister Lee Bong-jo Friday announced plans to ease regulations on identification checks for short-term travelers to North Korea, and said that related laws would be amended and implemented within this month.

Under current regulations, people under investigation or on trial are required to file applications to the prosecution for approval in order to tour North Korea. Some one thousand-800 South Koreans traveled to the North through this procedure last year.

However, prior approval would still be required for suspects wanted by the police, people whose arrest warrants are temporarily suspended and for convicted criminals who have yet to complete their sentences.

The government also decided to exempt student group tours to the North and citizens issued a permit for multiple visits from the identification process.