The government says about 900 South Koreans are currently staying in North Korea.

The Unification Ministry said on Monday that the figure includes 879 at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and 13 people working on an inter-Korean project to preserve the site of a royal palace of the ancient Goryeo Kingdom. Ten others from the Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea are reportedly staying in Gangnam, North Hwanghae Province.

A ministry official said that the government is taking measures to secure the safety of the South Koreans through the Gaeseong industrial complex management committee. The official said that the ministry is discussing related measures at an emergency meeting presided over by the vice minister.