Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo has met former First Lady Lee Hee-ho who is scheduled to visit North Korea on Wednesday.
 
A unification ministry official said Hong, who is currently on vacation, visited Lee at her home in Seoul on Monday to wish her a good journey and to explain the government's North Korea policy.
 
The official said Lee asked Hong to convey her appreciation to President Park Geun-hye for allowing the trip.
 
Meanwhile, Lee received an official invitation from the North on Monday, leaving only the government's final approval for her visit.
 
The North also invited 18 other people, including Director Kim Sung-jae of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center and Seoul National University honorary Professor Paik Nak-chung.
 
After arriving in Pyongyang Wednesday morning via a domestic airline, Lee plans to visit hospitals for women and children and deliver wool scarves and medical supplies.
 
It has not yet been decided if she will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during her trip.