The South Korean government has given permission to expand the number of humanitarian aid missions from private organizations that go to North Korea. On March 11, the Unification Ministry approved the application of a private organization, the Human Earth Organization, to send humanitarian aid to the North. The organization will send basic medicine and medical supplies, such as cold medicine and fever reducers, worth KRW 200 million to 19 hospitals in Pyeongannam-do (South Pyeongan Province) in North Korea.

Last month, the ministry allowed two South Korean private organizations, including the Eugene Bell Foundation, to send KRW 1.06 billion worth of humanitarian aid to North Korea. Under the applications, the two organizations will send baby formula and medicine, such as anti-tuberculosis drugs, to Pyeonganbuk-do (South Pyeongan Province) and to the cities of Pyongyang and Nampo. This January, the ministry allowed three private organizations, including Love One Korea, to send humanitarian supplies, such as ingredients for fortified bread, powered milk and underwear for infants and toddlers, to locations in Hwanghaebuk-do (North Hwanghae Province).

So far in 2014, South Korea has approved six humanitarian missions to North Korea, worth more than KRW 1.9 billion. The ministry said it will accept more applications as long as they meet the requirements.


In late December last year, the ministry accepted the application from ChildFund Korea to send 179 tons of flour and 20 tons of bean powder for North Korean children and pregnant women. These supplies will be offered to infants, toddlers, children, mothers and pregnant women. North Korea submitted in advance its plan to distribute the supplies to the organizations. This is so far the largest amount of humanitarian aid from a South Korean private organization to reach the North since the Park Geun-hye administration took office.

The ministry’s policy reflects the administration’s will to improve inter-Korean relations. In the New Year’s speech earlier this year, President Park Geun-hye emphasized the need to build a foundation for reunification. In the speech, she said that Seoul will increase its humanitarian aid to the North and expand people-to-people exchanges.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr