Seoul's Unification Ministry said Monday that it will further reduce the number of South Koreans staying at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea from the current 650 to 500.

As the nation observes the Lunar New Year holiday, no South Korean entries to the complex will take place through Wednesday.

However, some 180 South Koreans remain at the joint factory zone for facility maintenance purposes. 

The Unification Ministry said it is maintaining emergency contact with them to ensure their safety.

The ministry is also concerned that the number of South Korean corporate personnel at the complex cut to half in just one month may hinder operations.

It said it will review additional measures following the North's missile launch including those involving the Gaeseong complex, and South Korean firms based at the complex have also begun to discuss measures in response to the government restriction.

The government also said it will continue the measure put in place last month following Pyongyang's nuclear test to suspend civilian contacts and cross-border visits.

The government earlier cut the number of South Koreans staying at the complex to 650 in the wake of last month's nuclear test.