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Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok on Monday said leaving rice out of assistance for flood-devastated North Korea simply because Seoul suspended rice aid over the country¡¯s recent missile tests was unconscionable. ¡°It¡¯s inappropriate to impose standards that prohibit sending rice but permit ramyeon (instant noodles) to relieve the starvation of North Koreans.¡±
That suggests the government may lift the freeze on rice aid. A government official later explained the policy to suspend the rice aid agreed before the missile tests has not changed. ¡°Even if rice is sent, it would be in the form of emergency relief¡± after torrential rains last month killed hundreds in the North, the official said.
The minister made the remarks in a meeting with standing committee members of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, including former unification minister Jeong Se-hyun. Lee said the government is considering several measures to help the North in response to calls from humanitarian organizations and politicians. Jeong said, ¡°Rice is better. Ramyeon is more expensive than rice. We have collected contributions to help North Korea overcome the flood damage, but it¡¯s not enough. I hope the government will send food aid to the North.¡±
Lee said it would be an opportunity to thaw recently icy inter-Korean relations if the government reaches a ¡°positive¡± conclusion after listening to opinions of civic organizations. The minister will announce the scope of aid on Friday once he has met with relief organizations and Korean Red Cross chief Han Wan-sang.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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