ASouthKoreanvesselcarrying3,000tonsofriceforNorthKoreasetsailfromMokpoPortinlateafternoon(4p.m.)Thursday(July3),theMinistryofUn
A South Korean vessel carrying 3,000 tons of rice for North Korea set sail from Mokpo Port in late afternoon (4 p.m.) Thursday (July 3), the Ministry of Unification reported.
The shipment was carrying the first batch of the 400,000 tons of rice assistance that the South Korean government promised the North during the 5th inter-Korean economic cooperation committee meeting held on May 23.
As the boat began the short journey along Korea's west coast, Agriculture-forestry Minister Kim Young-jin observed that the grain aid for the North was more than humanitarian assistance and would in fact eventually contribute to unification. A group of high-ranking government officials, including those from the Ministry of Unification, attended the ceremony held at the port.
The minister further expressed hope that the two Koreas should soon start high-level talks on improving the North's agricultural production capabilities.
To improve the transparency of rice distribution, the ministry said it would make arrangements with the North so that the North will ensure and inform the South on the grain distribution and verification processes. The North is expected to harvest 4.13 million tons of grain this year, which will still result in 2.19 million tons of shortfall.
