The launch of national flag carriers on sea routes linking South and North Korea that was initially slated for this week has been postponed.

In announcing the cause of the move, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry cited the strained inter-Korean relations.

But the ministry added that the government is ready to launch national flag carriers anytime if North Korea agrees.

The government was to replace foreign-registered vessels plying between the two Koreas with national flag carriers on Saturday in accordance with a maritime accord with North Korea that went into effect in August of last year.

Currently, a China-registered and a Panama-registered vessel navigate the inter-Korean waters four times a month.