The World On arirang

North Korea has asked South Korea for aid shipments in rice, heavy equipment and cement.
This latest request is likely in response to the 8.5 million US dollar emergency aid package proposed by the South Korean Red Cross last month to assist in the aftermath of flooding in the North.
The South Korean Unification Ministry says North Korea's Red Cross sent the message to its counterpart in Seoul on Saturday, citing that they are in greater need of rice and reconstruction-related materials.


[Interview : Chun Hae-sung, Unification Ministry Spokesperson] "The North has suggested instead of sending aid in the form of emergency rations, provisions and medical supplies, it would be better for South Korea to provide rice and equipment needed for its reconstruction efforts."


Attention now lies on the size and form of Seoul's assistance to Pyeongyang, especially since the set of sanctions the South imposed on the North in response to its sinking of the warship Cheonan in May includes a suspension of rice aid to the impoverished regime.
In fact, Seoul has allowed the South Korean Red Cross' offer of aid because it targeted the North's post-flooding reconstruction.
It currently only permits assisting the regime's vulnerable groups of people such as children.
Meanwhile, Seoul's Unification Minister clarified his decision to withhold information on Saturday's request, saying that time was needed to examine both the aid request and the North's freeing of the South Korean squidding vessel Daeseung and how the two would eventually influence inter-Korean relations.


[Reporter : Choi You-sun
yschoi@arirang.co.kr] "While stressing that the aid will be humanitarian in nature, high-ranking officials here in Seoul have reportedly said the government is looking into accepting Pyeongyang's request for rice and equipment. This, coupled with the North's release of the South Korean fishing boat on Tuesday may work towards easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Choi You-sun, Arirang News."