The North Korean delegation to the 15th International Red Cross General Assembly in Seoul has asked for sustained developmental assistance from South Korea.

In a Tuesday meeting with the South's Red Cross chief Han Wan-sang and other executives, eight of the North's delegates requested the assistance to prevent natural disasters.

In response, Han said Seoul must first agree to allocate a large budget for the aid, but that the Red Cross in Seoul can help modernize the Red Cross hospital in the North.

On Han's proposal to expand inter-Korean Arbor Day celebrations, the North said the Red Cross in Seoul, as a permanent council member of the International Red Cross, should gather global support for forestation in the North.

The delegation later visited the Seoul Red Cross hospital and the museum of freedom fighter Kim Ku.