U.S. to Send 50,000 Tons of Food Aid to North Korea

“The U.S. has decided to provide 50,000 tons in foods aid to North Korea through the World Food Program (WFP),” said U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher. “Regardless of the our concern over North Korea’s policies, our intention is to help the people.”

When asked whether the food aid was related to the six-way talks, Boucher replied, “We have been helping North Korean people regardless of the six-way talks.”

With regard to the issue the U.S. raised over transparent food distribution, the spokesperson hinted an improvement by saying, “The WFP informed us that the North has allowed more monitoring on food distribution for the past six months.”

He said the U.S. would talk with North Korea, WFP and other donor countries about better monitoring on food distribution, since it still does not meet international standards.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com