North Korea has chosen its long-time business partner Hyundai Asan of South Korea to continue conducting tours to Gaesong.

Pyongyang had considered changing its partner to the South Korean travel agency Lotte Tours.

A government official in Seoul said North Korea announced its decision through an unofficial channel.

North Korea asked Lotte Tours to join the tour project in August 2005, but apparently has concluded that Hyundai Asan is the only option at hand, as Seoul has refused to allow a change in business partners.