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Related to the massive train explosion in Ryongchon Station, North Korea, the South Korean government will discuss with the North transporting relief supplies by land and sending an emergency medical team composed of 20 to 25 people and a hospital ship.
The government will also examine ways to support emergency recovery in the Ryongchon area after discussions with the North.
The South Korean government established a ¡°Working Group for Countermeasures on the Ryongchon Disaster¡± at the Central Government Complex on Sunday, and made specific plans for emergency relief measures that were prepared at a ministerial conference the day before.
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Volunteer workers prepare emergency aid supplies to be sent to Ryongchon, North Korea at the district office of the Korean Red Cross on Sunday.
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Unification Ministry official Hong Jae-hyun said in a briefing that, ¡°For swift and safe support, we will discuss with the North ways to send the relief supplies by land. In case transportation by land is impossible, we will examine ways to use the Korean National Red Cross (KNRC)¡¯s transport ship for medical supplies that departs Incheon for Nampo on Wednesday."
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A ruined building is seen near the railway station in Ryongchon, North Korea on Saturday. North Korean officials acknowledged that at least 154 people are confirmed dead and 1,300 were injured in a catastrophic explosion last Thursday at the railway station in the town of Ryongchon near the Chinese border.
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Hong added that, ¡°Detailed relief plans for each part will be delivered to the North on Monday through liaison contacts in Panmunjom. We will try to carry out the plans as soon as possible.¡±
For the accident at Ryongchon Station, the South Korean government will provide supplies worth US$1 million, including basic necessities and emergency relief worth US$400,000, medical supplies and equipment worth US$400,000 and transportation fees.
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The site of the train blast in Ryongchon, North Korea on Saturday.
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By items, 3,000 emergency relief sets (which include quilts, underclothes, towels and soap), 100,000 cups of instant noodles, 10,000 1.8 liter bottles of spring water, 3,000 blankets and 3,000 suits of training clothes will be sent to North Korea. The government plans to secure these items by Monday.
The KNRC agreed to support the transportation fees when the government deposits the funds and supplies donated by citizens and citizen organizations.
The government also decided to take part in international support to North Korea. In the name of Foreign Affairs Minister Ban Ki-moon, the government delivered to the World Health Organization (WHO) its intention to provide US$20,0000 separately to North Korea.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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