Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok says that the timing of the sale for part of the Gaesong industrial park's main complex site is under discussion.

Citing delays since the North's test-firing of missiles in July, Lee told a Thursday briefing that
what's most important is that the sale be competitive, adding that Korea Land Corporation and Hyundai Asan are negotiating the sale's proper timing.

Lee also said the government didn't order a delay nor did Pyongyang press Seoul for one, denying any link between the delay and stalled six-way nuclear talks or the North Korean nuclear standoff.

The land corporation planned to put up for sale part of the Gaesong main complex site in late June.