The government is planning to help North Korean officials study free market economics from next year as a way of promoting inter-Korean cooperation.

According to data released by the National Assembly and the Finance Ministry, about 300-million won, or about 322-thousand dollars, has been set aside in the 2008 budget for such educational programming.

Under the plan, South Korea will share its knowledge of economic development and provide training in how market economies operate. The government will commission related institutes to conduct the training programs.