Following contacts with the Panmunjom Liaison Office on Sunday, the government decided to immediately send preventive medicine and equipment to combat North Korea's bird influenza epidemic and help the country's quarantine efforts.

The goods will be delivered through the inter-Korean Gyeongui Railroad to Gaesung in North Korea within this week, once the National Assembly approves the plan.

A government official said if the North made additional requests for medicine, equipment, or technical consultations, the government would positively consider them, adding Seoul expects Pyongyang to be more active in asking for support.