The government has removed most of its staff from an inter-Korean economic cooperation office at the Gaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea.

A government source said Thursday that Seoul pulled out eleven of the 13 South Korean staff members at the office. The move was sparked by Pyongyang's request on Wednesday that all staff withdraw within three days.

According to the source, Pyongyang made the request to protest a recent remark by Unification Minister Kim Ha-joong.

Last week, Kim said the inter-Korean industrial complex in Gaesong would not likely be expanded if the North Korean nuclear issue remains unresolved.

The Unification Ministry made an announcement on the staff reduction later on Thursday.