The Unification Ministry says it will ask North Korea about a domestic daily’s report that its military may be diverting South Korean food aid.

A ministry official said Wednesday that Pyongyang could be using military trucks to transport the rice aid for lack of other transportation. He cited the North's agreement to give the rice to the people.

The official said Seoul will ask Pyongyang to confirm the matter at an appropriate opportunity and vowed to boost transparency in food distribution.

He said that Seoul's monitoring efforts include briefings by the North on distribution for every 100-thousand tons of aid contributed.

The South is currently delivering rice to the North to help relieve flood damage.