Officials said Monday... the government and the ruling coalition agreed to offer an additional 16.3 billion won in relief to drought-stricken provinces of Kyonggi, Kangwon and North Chungchong.

At a meeting of officials from the three ruling coalition parties and the government held at a hotel in Seoul,

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Han Kap-soo said that the additional funds will be made available to the three provinces if the drought in these areas persists until the end of May.

Han explained... the three provinces have already received 3.1 billion won, 2.4 billion won and 4.9 billion won respectively, in aid from the government since April 16.

Minister of Home Affairs and Government Administration Lee Keun-sik added his ministry will provide 2.5 billion won to stabilize the fresh water supply in these areas.