The government has decided to review the legal relevancy of Lotte Tours’ Gaesong tour project, if the company so requests.

North Korea offered the tour project to Lotte Tours last month, even though Hyundai Asan conducted trial tours in preparation for its own formal launch.

A high-ranking Unification Ministry official said Saturday Lotte has not requested the government approval yet, but if the request comes, the government will deal with it in accordance with related laws.

However, the official added that as long as Hyundai is awarded the right to conduct tour projects in the North, any other company’s bid for the projects should require a comprehensive review of the contract between North Korea and Hyundai, and the government’s approval of Hyundai as North Korea's tourism partner.