North Korea has decided to allow South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-jeong to enter downtown Gaesong during his visit to the Gaesong Industrial Complex on Wednesday, touching off speculation that Pyongyang has changed its policy.

The North banned South Korean officials from entering the border city's downtown area last July after Seoul denied its request to change the South Korean operator of inter-Korean tours from Hyundai Asan to Lotte Tours.

A ministry official noted that the North said it will allow Minister Lee's tour of downtown Gaesong in his first visit to the complex since taking office.

As the North is known to have approved Hyundai as its operator of Gaesong tours, South Koreans' entry into Gaesong is likely to continue.

On Wednesday, Minister Lee will have lunch in the border city, visit tourist spots and tour the complex construction site and firms operating there.