The nation began shipping emergency flood aid to North Korea from Thursday.

The Unification Ministry says that 40 trucks about 25 tons each carrying blankets, water, instant noodles and first aid kits set out for the North Korean border city of Gaesong in the afternoon using the Gyeongui highway.

Shipments will continue through the end of this month.

Seoul also plans to provide relief equipment and materials as requested by Pyongyang, such as cement, iron rods and pitch, after consulting with ministries concerned.

According to one official, that aid alone is worth an estimated 50 billion won.

International relief agency Join Together Society of Korea also shipped blankets, clothes and shoes worth 300 million won from Incheon on Thursday. The shipment will reach Yangdok County in North Korea's South Pyongan Province via the Chinese port of Dandong.