The Unification Ministry says it has decided to put off its announcement on a request to visit North Korea by South Korean companies that had operations in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.
 
The ministry said it reached the decision as it has yet to conclude consultations with related government agencies on the firms’ request. The announcement was initially set for Friday.
 
Observers had predicted that in its announcement, the government would include a message to North Korea seeking its cooperation for the South Korean companies to make the trip.
 
The government believes that the North must give consent to the visit for the sake of protecting the safety of the South Koreans who wish to visit.
 
Earlier this month, the North released reports insinuating that it had restarted operations in the industrial complex. Following the reports, roughly 40 officials of South Korean companies that had operated in Gaeseong requested that the government allow them to visit the complex to confirm the reports and to check their equipment and facilities.

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