Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung says the government decided to postpone rice aid to North Korea in light of developments on the Korean Peninsula such as North Korea’s missile test last Friday.

He hinted that Pyongyang’s refusal to implement the six-way denuclearization agreement of February 13th also affected Seoul's decision.

Lee said that although all procedures necessary for provision of the rice aid have been completed, various factors such as public opinion in South Korea will be considered in finalizing the timetable for delivery.

The unification minister expected North Korea not to make an issue of the rice aid as he headed into Tuesday's inter-Korean minister-level talks in Seoul, as South Korea did not cancel the aid but has just postponed it.