The Unification Ministry says the government will not stop South Koreans’ tours to the North Korean city of Gaeseong if tourists’ safety can be guaranteed.

Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun said Thursday the government has not asked Hyundai Asan to stop the tours to the North's border city, but the tour operator should give serious consideration to the safety issue.

The government ordered Hyundai Asan to suspend tours to the North’s Mount Geumgang resort after the killing of a South Korean tourist last week. Despite the incident, Hyundai Asan is continuing its tours to Gaeseong, the ancient capital of the Goryeo Dynasty.

Regarding the possibility of linking the six-party nuclear talks to the incident, Kim reaffirmed that Seoul promotes international cooperation to investigate the shooting.