The government will make its decision on whether to provide food aid to the North in accordance with public opinion.

In a news briefing Monday, Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun reiterated that humanitarian aid to the North will be not linked to political issues such as North Korean denuclearization.

The U.N. World Food Program last week requested South Korea provide food aid to the impoverished nation.

On inter-Korean relations, Kim said the two Koreas were going through a transitional period and are trying to establish new ties.

The spokesman stressed that Seoul will consistently pursue North Korean policies for coexistence and mutual prosperity. He urged North Korea to approach dialogues with the South without conditions.