The government says more time is needed for the remaining South Koreans at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea to resolve outstanding issues before they can return home.

A Seoul government official explained Wednesday that the seven South Koreans still at the inter-Korean complex and North Korea are narrowing differences, but it's unlikely the group will return home Wednesday.

At issue are the payment of North Korean workers' wages for March and tax claims. South Korean firms also want to bring back their raw materials and finished products to the South.

Some of the firms which have suffered heavy losses due to the tentative complex shutdown are known to have said sorting out the wage issue is a struggle.

The seven South Korean personnel are led by chairman of the Gaeseong Industrial District Management Committee Hong Yang-ho.