The South Korean government has taken a cautious attitude on food aid to North Korea, with the U.S. mulling food aid to the North.

A high-ranking official in Seoul said Wednesday that the government will consider food aid only when Pyongyang makes a request, even if the U.S. begins supplying food aid to the impoverished country first.

The official added that the South’s stance towards the North remains unchanged, saying that Seoul will begin dialogue with Pyongyang when the North stops criticizing the South.