South Korea said Tuesday it has decided to prohibit an opposition lawmaker from traveling to North Korea this week, a move expected to rekindle a political controversy in the ideologically divided nation.

The unification ministry announced its unexpected decision to reject an application by Rep. Park Jie-won of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy to visit the Kaesong Industrial Complex on Wednesday.

"Rep. Park made a trip there last week, and we made the decision in consideration of various situations," a ministry official said.

Park visited the Kaesong site just north of the inter-Korean border last week to deliver a wreath commemorating the communist nation's late leader Kim Jong-il on the occasion of the third anniversary of his death.

The lawmaker, known for personal ties with some North Korean officials, had planned to go there again to meet Kim Yang-gon, director of the North's United Front Department in charge of South Korean affairs, at Kim's request.

South Korean officials accused the North of trying to unilaterally convey its claim through the lawmaker, while avoiding formal talks with the South.

The government, meanwhile, approved a plan by Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun to visit Kaesong on Wednesday. (Yonhap)