The Unification Ministry says it has approved three South Korean civic groups to give humanitarian aid to North Korea.

This is the first time this year the government has approved aid to North Korea.

The groups will provide around 430 million won worth of powdered milk, long underwear and ingredients for nutritious bread for infants in North Hwanghae Province.

The ministry's deputy spokesperson Park Soo-jin said in a briefing Wednesday that the ministry is reviewing expanding approval for civic organizations to give aid to the North.

She said the ministry will continue to approve aid applications if they meet the government's requirements.

President Park Geun-hye talked about boosting humanitarian support to North Korea during her New Year's news conference on January sixth.