The government will launch a fund next month to invest in overseas ports, possibly including the North Korean port of Haeju.

The Maritime Ministry said a preparatory meeting of potential investors for the fund, dubbed the "International Distribution Fund," will be held Friday.

A ministry official said the government will invite interested parties and sign an investment agreement with selected investors. Seoul aims to launch the fund by early December.

While the government and port authorities will likely shoulder about 330 million dollars, institutional investors including financial institutions, insurance companies and pension and other state funds are expected to invest close to one-point-nine billion.