The government is reviewing a request by the World Food Program (WFP) to provide food aid to North Korea.

A Unification Ministry spokesman said Monday the U.S. food agency made the request in a letter last Tuesday. The spokesman said the WFP did not specify the amount of food aid it hopes Seoul will provide for the impoverished communist state.

The government has said it would provide food assistance to Pyongyang even without the North’s request if food shortages in the reclusive state become serious or if the country is hit by natural disaster.

Seoul shipped 100-thousand tons of corn annually to the North through the WFP between 2001 and 2004. Last year, it sent 32-thousand tons of corn and beans to Pyongyang.