State Department spokesman Tom Casey said in a statement, "As President (George W.) Bush has noted, the American people are compassionate and concerned about the people of North Korea. Therefore, the United States is prepared to engage with North Korean officials on arrangements for a significant food aid package, including appropriate monitoring procedures."

The spokesman said, "The U.S. already was providing, through American non-governmental agencies, immediate assistance in the form of badly needed antibiotics to prevent the spread of waterborne illness." Casey extended condolences to North Korea for the loss of life and homes from the widespread flooding.

(englishnews@chosun.com )