The construction of North Korea's first church for foreigners has suffered a delay of more than a year.

In an interview with Radio Free Asia, South Korean pastor Lee Sung-woo, a member of a missionary group leading the project, said the North wants renovation of the existing Chilgol Church in Pyongyang instead of having a new one built.

Lee, however, said his group has insisted on building Pyongyang International Harvest Church as agreed with the North in 2004.

The North has two official churches: Bongu built in 1988 and Chilgol in 1999.

Lee said a South Korean company has submitted a church blueprint to the North, adding construction should be completed this year under the plan.

Funded by a Korean-American and missionary groups in South Korea, the planned four-story church will house a school for foreign students and hold Christian services.