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The government is reportedly willing to resume food aid to North Korea despite a chill in relations, albeit through a third party such as an international organization after persistent criticism that direct aid does not reach those who need it most.
A government official on Monday said the administration will decide whether to resume food aid to North Korea after consulting with the U.S. ¡°We are deliberating over sending food aid to the North through the World Food Programme or the U.S.,¡± he said.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan in an interview also said the government is negotiating with the U.S. and international organizations to seek ways of giving humanitarian aid to the North, which is suffering a severe food shortage.
The change in attitude by the South Korean government is apparently due to recent progress toward reconvening six-nation talks on North Korea¡¯s denuclearization and a decision by the U.S. government to resume food aid to the North. The South Korean delegation is to meet with its U.S. counterpart in Washington D.C. to discuss the issue on Tuesday morning.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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