A civic group is planning a visit to North Korea via the direct West Sea air route for the first time since that country's nuclear test on October ninth.

An official of the Korean Sharing Movement aid organization said Monday that a 130-member delegation including patrons are seeking to board a flight for Pyongyang on North Korea's flag carrier, Air Koryo. The group would leave December 18th and return on the 21st.

During the visit, they plan to attend a dedication ceremony for a neurosurgical and respiratory ward in a Pyongyang general hospital.

South Korean civic groups have refrained from taking the direct route for cross-border visits since the nuclear test.

Whether Seoul's Unification Ministry will approve the visit remains to be seen as the government is still wary of using the direct route to the North.