Posted on : Dec.24,2019 18:14 KST
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Footage from North Korea’s state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) on damage resulting from Typhoon Lingling on Sept. 8. (Yonhap News)
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Support to be funneled through Korea National Red Cross due to stale inter-Korean relations
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Footage from North Korea’s state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) on damage resulting from Typhoon Lingling on Sept. 8. (Yonhap News)
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The South Korean government plans to provide 2.01 billion won (US$1.7 million) in inter-Korean cooperation funds to restore North Korean villages that suffered typhoon damage last September.
At the 310th meeting of its inter-Korean exchange and cooperation pursuit council, the Ministry of Unification approved a “North Korean village-level integration effort inter-Korean cooperation fund support plan,” which provides support to the Republic of Korea National Red Cross to cover necessary costs for North Korean disaster response and recovery efforts, the ministry announced on Dec. 23.
The plan includes inter-Korean cooperation fund support totaling 2.01 billion won for villages in North Korea’s Hamgyong and Pyongan Provinces that suffered severe damage from Typhoon Lingling last September, including 807 million won (US$693,567) for disaster management and prevention, 544 million won (US$467,535) for potable water and hygiene promotion, and 654 million won (US$562,073) for public health.
The support is to proceed from the South Korean government to the National Red Cross and on to international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This approach appears to be a reflection of current conditions in inter-Korean relations, where discussions between authorities have been troubled, and North Korea’s rejection of South Korea’s proposal to provide 50,000 tons in rice assistance through the World Food Programme (WFP).
The South Korean government recently reiterated its position supporting the continuation of humanitarian aid regardless of the political situation.
“We plan to continue supporting humanitarian Red Cross activities in North Korea through the National Red Cross while pursuing inter-Korean cooperation on disaster-related areas,” the Ministry of Unification said.
By Lee Je-hun, senior staff writer
Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
