The government may provide rice, fertilizer and other humanitarian aid to North Korea if requested by Pyongyang.

A government official visiting Washington said Wednesday that chief presidential security aide Kim Byeong-guk met recently with U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and told him of the possible plan.

In response, Hadley reportedly said it was Seoul's decision on the matter.

According to the government source, Seoul officials are discussing the plan and are ready to launch talks with Pyongyang if it makes an aid request.

The source was quick to add, however, that the Lee Myung-bak administration's North Korea policy will be different from the previous government's, although it will handle related issues in a flexible manner.