Pyongyang refuses aid from Seoul to cross border

(AsiaNews/Agencies) – Pyongyang has rejected Seoul's proposal to send humanitarian aid to North Korea via land routes in order to shorten delivery times, important to quickly reach disaster victims at the Ryongchon train station. 

Red Cross spokesman in South Korea, Moon Won-il, said Pyongyang didn't offer any further explanations on the government's decision.  

"We don't know the exact reason. But we suppose that North Korea is concerned about security problems related to shipping (aid) through the border region," the Unification Ministry spokesman said.

The demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel, dividing the Korean peninsula since World War II, has been impassable since the Korean War (1950-53). Red Cross officials say that from South Korea only 4 hours would be needed to bring aid via land routes to the disaster site, while 2 days would be necessary for shipping by sea. 

Yesterday, for the first time Pyongyang's  official state press (KCNA) reported the toll of victims and damage caused by the explosion. "At least 150 people were killed and over 1300 injured. Investigations are still underway as to the number of those missing. More than 30 public, industrial and commercial buildings and 8100 homes of families were destroyed." 

Tony Banbury, Asia's regional director for the World Food Program, said more than 60% of the disaster's victims were children. 

Russia, Japan, Australia, and the United States have also offered to send aid, while humanitarian organizations continue to report the scarcity of aid and precariousness of means available in North Korea. (MR)

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