The government is known to have entered the final stage of talks on whether to provide food aid to North Korea.

A government official says Seoul is leaning toward providing the aid and could make a final decision during a foreign affairs and security policy coordination meeting.

The official also mentioned humanitarian concerns South Korea is requesting the North address such as separated families, South Korean prisoners of war and abductions committed by the communist state. His remark suggests the government is linking these issues with the possible provision of aid.

He said the government has yet to decide on whether to give direct aid to the North or provide it through the World Food Program.