TheMinistryofUnificationreportedonSaturday(June21)thatthegovernment'sInter-KoreanExchangeandCooperationPromotionCouncilapproved
The Ministry of Unification reported on Saturday (June 21) that the government's Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council approved the use of the inter-Korean cooperation fund for the provision of grain to North Korea.
The total amount approved at the council meeting was 167.6 billion won (about $1.3 billion) under terms of the inter-Korean loan and includes the goods and shipping expenses. A total of 400,000 tons of rice will be supplied to North Korea at $265 per ton, which is the unit price agreed between the two Koreas.
The council meeting also decided that the government would disburse 895 million won, again from the inter-Korean cooperation fund, for the seventh round of reunion of separated families between the two Koreas.
According to the South Korean delegates who were allowed to make on-site observations of grain distribution processes, the transparency of distribution has significantly improved compared to the past. Two South Korean inspectors, one in North Korea's eastern and the other in western regions, made their observations with video cameras, the ministry said.
