UN asks Seoul to send Food Aid to North Korea

The World Food Program has formally asked the South Korean government for US$60 million to procure grain and daily necessities for North Koreans hit by a severe food shortage, the Unification Ministry said Thursday. Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun said "The government will decide whether to accept the appeal or not based on public opinion.” Kim added, “If necessary, we can conduct an opinion poll." The government has been saying it would deliver humanitarian aid to the North without strings attached and consider direct aid if there is a request from Pyongyang, or even without if there is a very serious food problem or a disaster occurs. [Chosun Ilbo]