The ministry said that it is reviewing whether or not to approve the players' visit as the Korea Football Association submitted an application earlier in the day.

"We will review it in accordance with international practices," a ministry official said.

Any trip to the North requires the South's approval, as well as the North's consent, as the two Koreas are technically in a state of war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

About 40 players and coaches as well as some 10 reporters are believed to be seeking to visit Pyongyang via Beijing for the matches.

The football matches come amid growing speculation that North Korea may conduct its sixth nuclear test.

The ministry official said it would not factor in North Korea's possible nuclear test when reviewing the application.

The government earlier hinted that it will probably approve their trip to the North but remained reserved toward a cheering squad's possible visit to the North, given heightened inter-Korean tension.

Seoul has suspended almost all civilian inter-Korean exchanges since Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test in January 2016.

If female football players are allowed to go to North Korea, it would mark the first time that the two Koreas will hold an official football match in Pyongyang. Previously, the two sides held only friendly football games in the North's capital. (Yonhap)