The Unification Ministry has proposed to hold talks with North Korea to resolve the issue of the inter-Korean Gaeseong Industrial Complex.

Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-seok held a news briefing on Thursday and delivered the South's proposal for a working level meeting with the North to discuss humanitarian issues regarding the complex.

The spokesman said that the North must respond to the South's invitation for talks by Friday morning, saying that the South will have to take significant action if Pyongyang refuses to discuss the issue. He did not elaborate what kind of action would be taken.

The spokesman also stressed that South Korean workers in the Gaeseong complex are experiencing serious difficulties due to the shortage of food and medicine.

The operation of the inter-Korean factory park in North Korea has been disrupted for more than three weeks following Pyongyang's decision to ban South Korean workers' entry into the complex. The ban was announced on April third.