Despite North Korea's Refusal, Government Supports North Korea Health Cooperation Group with 10 Billion Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The government has decided to provide 10 billion KRW in support to private organizations carrying out nutrition and health cooperation projects in North Korea. Although it is uncertain whether the funds will actually reach North Korea due to Pyongyang's complete refusal of humanitarian aid, it is unprecedented for the government to fully fund the project costs.

On the 24th, the government held the 322nd Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council (Gyouchu-hyeop) and reviewed and approved the allocation of up to 5 billion KRW per project, totaling up to 10 billion KRW from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund to support private organizations' nutrition and health cooperation policy projects targeting North Korea.

Until now, the support method for private organizations conducting nutrition and health projects was a 50-50 matching fund, with the government and organizations each bearing half the cost. However, this time, the government will cover all expenses related to project implementation, including the purchase of materials and transportation costs. The support targets are North Korean children, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, focusing on nutrition and health projects for these groups.

The government plans to supplement the financial limitations of private organizations with the will and capacity for inter-Korean cooperation, enabling the projects to be carried out on a larger scale and with greater effectiveness. This move is also seen as an effort to reaffirm humanitarian cooperation intentions toward North Korea and create an opportunity to reverse the strained inter-Korean relations.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young explained the background of the support in his opening remarks at the Gyouchu-hyeop, stating, "It has been reported that due to prolonged lockdowns caused by COVID-19, shortages of food and health supplies inside North Korea are becoming increasingly severe."

He added, "Humanitarian cooperation is being developed as a joint project between South Korea and the United States, and it is an issue shared in unison by many countries in the international community, including the U.S. We hope that our warm compassion will reach the North Korean people, making their lives safer, enhancing trust between the two Koreas, and contributing to a healthier future for the Korean Peninsula."

The challenge lies in the number of qualified organizations. Private organizations must have agreements and project plans proving that the North Korean side has consented to the humanitarian aid projects. However, North Korea is currently reluctant to allow even humanitarian aid supplies to enter, citing COVID-19 prevention measures.

Meanwhile, at the Gyouchu-hyeop, it was also reviewed and approved to provide 1.19093 billion KRW for land and other compensations related to the restoration and construction of the South Korean section of the Gyeongwon Line railway, and up to 720 million KRW to support road repair projects on the DMZ Peace Road Goseong route.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.