The government has approved Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun's request to extend her visit to North Korea for one day.

Hyun arrived in Pyongyang on Monday to negotiate the release of a South Korean worker detained in the North for more than four months.

Hyun was scheduled to return Wednesday but decided to extend her visit until Thursday, raising hopes for a possible meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

If the meeting is realized, Kim and Hyun are expected to discuss various inter-Korean issues, including the release of the detained South Korean worker, the resumption of Hyundai's tour program to Mount Geumgang, and issues related to operations at the inter-Korean Gaeseong Industrial Complex.

There is speculation that Hyun may deliver a message from the South Korean government to the North Korean leader. But the Seoul government says her visit is solely for business.