The government plans to parcel out for sale 165,000 square meters of land in North Korea's Gaesong Industrial Complex during the year's first half, as originally planned.

The land is a small part of the entire first stage site that would house the main complex of the Gaesong project.

However, it is believed that the Seoul government will adjust the project's pace should the North Korean nuclear issue takes a turn for the worse.

Vice Unification Minister Lee Bong-jo said that the ongoing trial complex project would countinue as it is, while the land site for the first-stage main complex project would be placed on the market by June for interested investors to participate in the inter-Korean project. Lee added that the U.S. is also aware of the plan.

The vice minister, however, said the nuclear factor would be taken into account in proceeding with the economic project, and that all aspects would be considered including Pyongyang's attitude with close coordination with Washington.