The government "would follow past precedent", foreign ministry spokesman Kim Young-Sun told reporters when asked whether Seoul plans to send a delegate.

"The Nobel Peace Prize winner is selected based on the Norwegian Nobel Committee and our stance is we respect the committee's decision," Kim said. "Regarding the ceremony, the South Korean government will follow past precedent," he said, apparently referring to the years-long custom of sending Seoul's ambassador.

Yonhap news agency, citing a diplomatic source, said Seoul has told the Nobel committee its ambassador would attend.

China is South Korea's biggest trade partner, but Beijing's refusal to condemn North Korea for a deadly shelling attack on the South has sparked much hostile media comment in Seoul.

The December 10 ceremony is set to take place without Liu Xiaobo, who is still in jail, and without his close family members who will unlikely be able to leave China.

The guest list this year has taken on particular significance as China warned countries that support for the laureate would entail consequences.

Six countries -- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Morocco and Iraq -- have so far told the Nobel Institute they would not take part.

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