The government will reportedly continue food and medical aid to North Korea, which suffered damage from this summer's heavy rains, despite its plans to test nuclear weapons.

A Unification Ministry official said Wednesday that it was difficult to suspend humanitarian aid when the North has not actually conducted the tests. However, the government is keeping an eye on the situation and stands ready to take appropriate measures if there is any change in the situation.

Meanwhile, 64-hundred tons of cement will leave Incheon Port for North Korea's Nampo on Thursday as scheduled.

Some critics have raised concerns over the cement shipments, saying that cement is among those materials needed by the North to conduct underground nuclear tests.

The government had previously decided to offer North Korea a flood aid package worth ten-billion won, including one-hundred-thousand tons of cement.