The Korean unit of U.S. automaker General Motors(GM) has decided to ask the Seoul government to designate its factory sites as foreign investment zones, enabling the troubled firm to receive tax benefits for seven years. 

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Thursday that GM Executive Vice President Barry Engle discussed GM Korea's restructuring plan with the ministry's senior officials.

In the meeting, Engle reportedly said that GM will present its official investment plan for the Korean market at an early date. 

The GM executive reportedly said that working-level talks between GM and the Seoul government have made some progress, and expressed hope that due diligence on GM Korea will begin as soon as possible.