"We are consulting with the US on their planned trip to South Korea," a source close to the matter told Yonhap News Agency. "It is too early for the US to respond. It is expected to take some time before we can say anything other than that."

He said that given that their trip is scheduled for Friday, when the Winter Olympics will kick off, there is enough time before making decisions.

Another official said that the government is also consulting with the UNSC on that matter.

US sanctions stipulate a ban on travel by the blacklisted people to its territory, but it could be burdensome for the Seoul government to allow for their entry to the South without getting consent from its ally Washington.

Making exemptions on multilayered sanctions have caused controversy and concerns that the global sanctions regime could be undermined in the process.

North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympics came after the two Koreas held a series of meetings last month following years of hiatus caused by the reclusive state's repeated missile and nuclear provocations. (Yonhap)