Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Monday said the government and the Hyundai Group are partners in inter-Korean commerce and should thus work in sync.

Chung told group chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun in a meeting that good inter-Korean relations benefit the private sector, whose cooperation in turn will improve ties.

Hyun apologized for leaking an internal audit report on the dismissal of Kim Yoon-kyu from Hyundai Asan Corporation, saying the document was for internal use only.

Chung said that though the report dented the government's trust in Hyundai Asan, Seoul will support efforts to normalize the tour to Mount Geumgang.

Meanwhile, a Unification Ministry official said another Hyundai executive will accompany Hyun on her trip to the North instead of Hyundai Asan President Yoon Man-jun.