South Korean workers will start leaving the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea Friday. This follows the North's announcement that it will restrict overland passage through the military demarcation line between the two Koreas starting December first.

Nine South Korean staffers at the inter-Korean economic cooperation office will return to the South as planned.

But officials of companies operating in the complex have yet to conclude talks with Pyongyang on how many of their employees will be allowed to stay. A decision should be reached before the end of the weekend.

In addition, South Korean tours to Gaeseong operated by Seoul-based Hyundai Asan Corporation will be shut down starting Saturday. Some 110-thousand people have visited the border city since tours launched last December.

The inter-Korean train running between South Korea's Musan and Bongdong in the North will also be suspending services Saturday.