South Korea is expected to ask foreign nations this week to refrain from investing in and taking part in tourism at North Korea's Mount Geumgang Resort.

A government official says Monday that he believes Seoul will make the diplomatic request through overseas missions this week to protect South Korean assets at the mountain resort.

The government is expected to send out guidelines concerning the issue to South Korean missions in advance early this week.

China, the U.S. and Japan are believed to be among the countries where South Korea will be issuing the request.

The official says Seoul is mulling further action in response to potential moves Pyongyang may take on the Geumgang issue.

A number of ministries held a meeting last week and agreed to take diplomatic measures against North Korea's unilateral move to dispose of South Korean companies assets at Mount Geumgang.