Seoul (AsiaNews) –The South Korean government has announced a new substantial aid package for the victims of the devastating floods which have hit North Korea in recent weeks.  The sum, the equivalent of 40 million dollars, will be used to by and send cement, trucks and building materials across the border.  Added to the total, 8 million dollars already sanctioned for medicines and essential food items.

According to North Korean government sources, the torrential rains killed at least 300 people and left 300 thousand homeless, even if non governmental sources speak of a far higher toll.  Moreover the passage of typhoons has destroyed harvests, wiping out more than 11 percent of the national production.

According to South Koreas Minister for Unification Lee Jae-joung, the new aid package responds to the direct needs of Pyongyang: “North Korea is having difficulties recovering from the floods because of the shortage of construction equipment and materials”. This is why, “Ministers have decided to send cement, iron bars, trucks, and fuel and road restoration equipment to North Korea at the earliest possible time”.

The new aid package is part of a precise assistance plan that was approved five years ago by Seoul, in the conviction that by dialogue and reciprocal aid can negotiations with Pyongyang met with success.  The leaders of the two Koreas are due to meet next October, defined as a “historic summit” by many political analysts, in which they will discuss the issue of nuclear energy and reunification.