An official from the Unification Ministry says Seoul has not made any decision regarding permission for South Korea's SBS TV to provide coverage to North Korea when airing events at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

According to the official, the issue is up to the broadcaster, since the rights to air the 2010 World Cup belong to SBS.

No agreement or narrowing of differences in opinion has been reached in working-level meetings between SBS and North Korea’s Radio and Television Broadcasting Committee.

The official added that in the event the two parties reach an agreement on World Cup relay, the South Korean government will make its decisions based on the opinions of relevant institutions, the status of inter-Korean relations, and specific agreements made between SBS and North Korea.

On Tuesday, a South Korean newspaper reported that the South Korean government will not allow free World Cup coverage to North Korea amid heightened tension in inter-Korean relations.

The Korea Pool, a group of the three South Korean terrestrial broadcasters, relayed free footage of the 2006 World Cup semi-finals and finals in Germany to North Korea upon the North’s request.

Some 150-million won in satellite fees was provided by South Korea's Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund and Broadcasting Development Fund.