The Korea Tourism Organization says it will soon start talks with North Korea on conducting an inspection next month of Mount Baekdu in the North.

The state-run tourism body on Friday said the North approved the inspection before the tour's inauguration during the Pyongyang visit of KTO President Kim Jong-min.

The North's National Reconciliation Committee also sent a telegram confirming the runway conditions of an airport near the mountain, and asked for the schedule of a 15-member KTO delegation's visit.