Seoul to give 20 million dollars to North Korean children

The decision was taken "to protect the right to life of newborns, infants and mothers in the north, the social classes hardest hit by the economic crisis and food shortages" prevent in the Stalinist regime.


Seoul (AsiaNews/CI) – The South Korean government has decided to donate 20 million dollars to an aid project for newborn babies and children in the north of the peninsula, launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The agreement reached between Lee Jong-seok, South Korean Unification Minister, and Lee Jong-wook, WHO general director, provides for the allotment of the sum over two years: Soul will make the first contribution of five million dollars immediately in cash, and 5.63 million dollars in material aid will follow in the coming two months. The rest of the funds will be made available to WHO to decide how and when to use them.

The South Korean government confirmed yesterday, 28 March, that the decision had been taken to "protect the right to life of newborns, infants and mothers in the north, the social classes hardest hit by the economic crisis and food shortages" prevent in the Stalinist regime.

The funding "also aims to assist North Korea's develop its health infrastructure including modernizing medical facilities".