Seoul "thaws" 7 million in aid to North Korea
The money is entrusted to the World Health Organization, which will ensure the effective use of money. The money - part of a total of 13 million - will be used to buy basic medicines, medical supplies and equipment, food. Target the young North Koreans and the poor.
Seoul (AsiaNews) - The South Korean government has announced today the resumption of humanitarian assistance to the North, through the channel opened by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In essence, Seoul’s decision provides for the "thawing" of almost 7 million dollars, frozen since the end of March 2010 in the aftermath of the sinking of the Cheonan navy vessel by the Pyongyang navy. The amount of money allocated to the North Korean regime is part of the total, amounting to 13.2 million and was delivered in 2009 to the WHO by South Korea.
The South Korean Unification Minister has sent a letter approving the use of money, earlier frozen in the coffers of WHO. The funds should be used for the purchase of basic medicines, medical supplies and equipment, food. The green light, the department explained, is related to the policy of "maintaining humanitarian aid" to "young people and poorer classes" of North Korean society.
Recently the Minister Ryu Woo-ik met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, assuring the resumption of aid to the North, with the collaboration of international bodies. "The decision to grant aid through the World Health Organization - said the minister - can be seen as the first step in this direction." The type of aid that Seoul will send to Pyongyang will be decided in consultation with the WHO, which will be responsible for monitoring the delivery and use for its intended purpose.
After the resumption of nuclear tests, the abandonment of the Six-Party Talks on nuclear power stations and two attacks on South Korea by the regime in Pyongyang, the Seoul government had halted all aid programs to North Korea. In early summer, however, the situation deteriorated to such a point that the "Blue House" - the residence of the South Korean president - authorized five non-governmental organizations to carry food aid only. And among these there was also Caritas, which took the opportunity to send flour to a population often the victim of famine.
The South Korean Unification Minister has sent a letter approving the use of money, earlier frozen in the coffers of WHO. The funds should be used for the purchase of basic medicines, medical supplies and equipment, food. The green light, the department explained, is related to the policy of "maintaining humanitarian aid" to "young people and poorer classes" of North Korean society.
Recently the Minister Ryu Woo-ik met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, assuring the resumption of aid to the North, with the collaboration of international bodies. "The decision to grant aid through the World Health Organization - said the minister - can be seen as the first step in this direction." The type of aid that Seoul will send to Pyongyang will be decided in consultation with the WHO, which will be responsible for monitoring the delivery and use for its intended purpose.
After the resumption of nuclear tests, the abandonment of the Six-Party Talks on nuclear power stations and two attacks on South Korea by the regime in Pyongyang, the Seoul government had halted all aid programs to North Korea. In early summer, however, the situation deteriorated to such a point that the "Blue House" - the residence of the South Korean president - authorized five non-governmental organizations to carry food aid only. And among these there was also Caritas, which took the opportunity to send flour to a population often the victim of famine.
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