South Korea’s unification minister has called for North Korea to permit a group of South Korean businessmen to visit the Kaesong Industrial Complex (KIC), amid an ongoing controversy over the alleged expropriation of property at the plant.

“The government requests that North Korea take relevant measures including the insurance of personal safety and passage, which are required for [South Korea] to approve our businessmen’s trip to the North,” Minister of Unification Cho Myoung-gyon said.

Cho made the comments – which were embargoed until 1500 KST on Thursday – at a ministry workshop held on Tuesday in Samcheok city, Gangwon Province.