The Unification Ministry said it believes ruling Grand National Party (GNP) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo’s planned visit to the Gaeseong Industrial Complex is practical and aimed understanding the complex’s situation and difficulties companies are experiencing there.

Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said in a regular briefing on Wednesday that it approved on Tuesday Hong’s request to visit the industrial complex with four other GNP officials on Friday.

According to the ministry, Hong will be briefed on the situation in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex at the management office there. He will inspect the infrastructure of the complex and support facilities, including wastewater treatment centers.

The GNP chairman then plans to hold a lunch meeting with representatives of companies operating there to hear what difficulties they are experiencing and the proposals they have to fix problems. Hong is also scheduled to visit two of the companies later that day.