The government will revise a law on inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation while streamlining administrative procedures for joint cross-border projects.

As part of these efforts, the government will abolish a system that requires South Koreans to win government approval to become inter-Korean project operators.

Under the revisions to be announced Thursday, South Korean firms will have to obtain government approval only for their business projects.

The government will also abolish a system requiring South Koreans to be designated as traders with the North in advance of any trading activity.

In the future, South Koreans will have to get government approval only for merchandise shipped directly to and from North Korea

The government will also ease rules on contact with North Korean nationals, exempting approved operators from having to report all contact with the North.

South Koreans will also be able to freely correspond with their North Korean partners if the contact agrees on the purpose of their business.