South Korea allows civil groups to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea
(VOVWORLD) - South Korea’s Ministry of Unification said on Thursday that it has approved three requests from civilian organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea, which are meant to help bolster cross-border cooperation and exchanges.
 South Korea's convoy of trucks carrying rice to North Korea go through Paju, a demilitarized zone north of Seol. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
The decision was announced amid cautious optimism about the resumption of dialogue after North Korea restored all communication lines with South Korea early this week following about two months of suspension.
An official of the Ministry of Unification told reporters that South Korea will continue to seek cooperation in humanitarian areas, including those in urgent need of medical and nutritional materials for children, pregnant women, and other at-risk citizens in the North. The official added that those materials to be shipped into the North are related to public health and all necessary costs will be funded by the organizations themselves.