The Board of Audit and Inspection is calling for enhanced caution regarding the government's use of the inter-Korean cooperation fund.

The board told the Unification Ministry that it should draft measures to prevent reckless use of funds.

Announcing results Monday of its audit of the fund, the board said nine-point-three billion won, or eight-point-six million dollars, was provided in two installments for the paving of the airstrip at Samjiyon Airport near Mount Baekdu in North Korea. But it said the money was wasted on shoddy construction, and some of the materials are believed to have been diverted for other uses.

The auditor said after the first project was deemed a failure, steps should have been taken to prevent a recurrence before aid was given a second time.

The audit, done by public request, examined the use of funds for five North Korean projects, including tours to Mount Baekdu. No comments were made on the other four projects.