The government will begin sending 300-thousand tons of fertilizer aid to North Korea from March 27th in 50 installments over a three-month period.

Under the plan announced Friday by South Korea's National Red Cross President Han Wan-sang, a vessel carrying the first batch of five to six thousand tons is expected to leave Yeosu for North Korea's Nampo Port.

The fertilizer aid will cost some one-hundred-billion won including transport costs. Composite fertilizer amounting to 240-thousand tons will account for the majority, while the rest will be fertilizer made from urea or ammonium sulfate.

During inter-Korean ministerial talks early this month, Seoul agreed to provide rice and fertilizer to Pyongyang, with details on the fertilizer aid to be worked out by Red Cross officials from the two sides.