Ministry of Unification: "No Specific Review of Food Aid to North Korea... Considering National Consensus"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is attending the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th, providing a work report. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Unification stated on the 19th that it is not currently conducting a detailed review of food aid plans for North Korea.

At a regular briefing that day, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Lee Jong-joo responded to reporters' questions about North Korea's food shortage situation and plans for food aid by saying, "At this stage, we are not reviewing specific timing, methods, or scale of support."

However, he added, "The government consistently maintains the position that humanitarian issues such as food shortages should be continuously cooperated on regardless of political or military situations," and said, "We will closely examine North Korea's overall humanitarian needs such as rice and fertilizer, and comprehensively consider various conditions including the COVID-19 situation, the inflow of goods, and public consensus."

The spokesperson also stated that North Korea's food shortage this year is estimated to be over 1 million tons. Previously, Minister of Unification Lee In-young estimated the shortage at about 1.2 to 1.3 million tons during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session on the 18th, emphasizing the need for timely support.

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