The Unification Ministry said it will consider the state of inter-Korean ties when it makes its decision on a request by South Korean companies to visit North Korea. 

Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters on Wednesday the the government has until March 15th to make a decision on the request by South Korean companies which had operated at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex in the North.

The companies on Monday submitted a request to the government to send some 200 officials to the North on March 12th to inspect their facilities. 

Baik declined to comment on whether Kim Yong-chol, the North’s chief delegate to the PyeongChang Olympics’ closing ceremony, extended an invitation for a South Korean official to visit the North during his stay in the South.