The South Korean government has accepted North Korea's proposal to discuss the resumption of the South's tours to Mount Geumgang in the North.

Seoul's Unification Ministry said Tuesday that it conveyed the government's answer to the North's Sunday proposal, requesting to hold the meeting later on September 25 at the Mount Geumgang resort. 

While trying to delay the meeting which the North initially asked to hold on Thursday, the ministry said that the two Koreas can find a constructive way to resolve the long-standing issue by taking a more cautious approach on the matter. 

The ministry also said in its news release that the two Koreas must first pursue inter-Korean family reunions, citing the humanitarian nature of the event for old Koreans who are separated from their siblings and relatives after the Korean War.

The ministry also made it clear that Seoul does not want to discuss the event for separated families at the Geumgang venue, saying the reunion and tour issues are separate. The comment came after the North's earlier message on Tuesday that insisted on holding working-level meetings on Geumgang tours and family reunions at the resort on Thursday and Friday. 

The ministry likewise informed the North on Tuesday that it wants hold talks at the South Korean side of the truce village of Panmunjeom to arrange family reunions. 

The North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland issued a spokesman’s statement on Sunday and suggested to hold separate meetings at the scenic mountain resort to discuss South Korea’s tour program to the area and family reunions.

The South’s tour to Mount Geumgang in the North has been suspended since the shooting death of a South Korean tourist in 2008.