The government is considering sending aid to help North Korea cope with severe flood damage from days of heavy rains.

Unification Ministry official Seo Sung-woo told reporters Tuesday that his ministry is consulting with other government bodies on sending aid equipment to the North, although Pyongyang has made no formal request for aid.

Torrential rains reportedly have left hundreds of North Koreans dead or missing while severely damaging major roads and destroying houses across the country over the past week.

Suh said that especially in Pyongyang, the Daedong and Botong rivers overflowed, inundating lowland areas and suspending subway service.

The official added, however, that the flooding will not affect the inter-Korean summit between President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il at the end of the month in Pyongyang.