South Korea is resuming its provision of 400-thousand-tons of rice aid to North Korea, after more than a one-year hiatus, as the North takes steps toward nuclear dismantlement.

An official at the Unification Ministry said the first shipment of three-thousand tons would depart Saturday afternoon from Geunsan Port bound for the North Korean city of Nampo.

Of the 400-thousand tons of rice to be delivered, 150-thousand tons is of domestic origin, while the rest is imported.

The rice aid will cost the South Korean government a total of 885 billion won, including shipping expenses.

Aid delivery is scheduled to be completed in late October. Seoul plans to monitor how the rice will be distributed at five different sites.