The chief of Hyundai Group, the parent firm of inter-Korean tour operator Hyundai Asan Corp., has requested government permission to visit North Korea next week to mark the anniversary of the death of her husband, who used to run the cross-border travel business, company officials said Wednesday.

Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun and about 20 executives and employees of Hyundai Asan hope to inspect the company's properties at Mount Kumgang, a scenic resort on North Korea's east coast, on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of the death of Chung Mong-hun, officials said.

Officials said Hyun and her entourage plan to make a one-day visit on Aug. 4.

The Mount Kumgang tour program has been shut down since 2008 after a South Korean female tourist was shot dead by a North Korean soldier while taking a stroll. Pyongyang said she had wandered into a restricted zone.

"Chairwoman Hyun's attendance (at the memorial ceremony) is aimed at encouraging employees of Hyundai Asan to overcome the current difficult situation," an official at Hyundai Asan said.

Hyun visited the resort last year to attend the memorial ceremony. During the visit, Hyun received North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's verbal message through a high-ranking Pyongyang official. (Yonhap)