Seoul, June 12: Taking into account the current food-crisis in North Korea, South Korea was pressing to provide humanitarian assistance to its neighbour Pyongyang in a “preemptive” way, Seoul’s unification minister Kim Yeon-chul has on Wednesday said.
During a meeting in Seoul, the minister was quoted by Yonhap News Agency as saying, “By taking into account (North Korea’s) difficult food situation, we are seeking to provide preemptive assistance at the government level.”
Chul also reiterated the S Korean government will be extending humanitarian assistance, including food, to Pyongyang despite the political situations, according to ANI news reports.
The statement has appeared as denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea have stalled since February, when President Donald Trump and his N Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un held their historic second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, which ended abruptly due to both leaders large difference over their stance, as Kim stressed over US sanctions relief, Trump focused over Kim’s last year commitment of full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
Sanctions against Pyongyang has worsened the food turmoil, with the United Nations (UN) estimating around 10 million N Koreans suffering from “severe food shortages”.
While North Korea seeks the de-escalation of imposed sanctions, the US has reiterated sanctions will be removed only after Kim stands on his commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.