MOSCOW, September 29 (RIA Novosti) - South Korea’s Ministry of Unification announced that it has approved a nongovernmental organization's request for permission to deliver humanitarian aid worth 200 million won ($190,512) to North Korea, Yonhap news agency reports.
The staff of Ace Gyeongam, a foundation run by bed maker Ace, accompanied by six South Korean officials is expected to distribute agricultural materials, including greenhouse goods, in Hwanghae Province, according to the ministry. They will cross the border on Tuesday and return to the South on Saturday.
Earlier, on September 18, South Korea approved a plan to give the North $13.3 million in humanitarian aid through the World Health Organization and World Food Program, the Korea Herald reported. The two UN agencies will carry out projects aimed at helping children, pregnant women and mothers.
South Korea continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the North despite existing economic sanctions, known as the May 24th measures. Seoul severely limited economic cooperation with Pyongyang in 2010 after a South Korean warship was attacked, leaving 36 South Korean sailors dead.
Many South Korean businessmen and activists have urged authorities to lift the May 24th measures to help improve strained relations between the two countries through increased economic cooperation.
