The opening of an inter-Korean economic cooperation office in North Korea’s border city of Gaesong has been delayed to next Friday.

Vice Unification Minister Lee Bong-jo said Thursday that the North had proposed delaying the opening of the office by four days due to internal matters.

As a result of the delay, the date of the upcoming 11th inter-Korean economic cooperation meeting will also likely be re-coordinated.

Twenty-eight permanent staff including 16 from South Korea and 12 from the North will work at the new office, which will be set up in the annex of the industrial complex's management committee facility.