The South Korean Red Cross is found to have proposed humanitarian aid to North Korea late last year.

President of the South Korean National Red Cross, Ryu Jong-ha, said that his agency offered humanitarian aid to North Korean delegates during a meeting of Red Cross societies of five Northeast Asian countries held in Macao in early December.

Ryu said that the South Korean Red Cross is willing and able to provide humanitarian aid and proposed inter-Korean Red Cross talks to discuss the matter.

Ryu said the North Korean Red Cross chief avoided giving a formal answer.

Ryu also proposed resumption of reuniting separated family members, noting that they are aging quickly. The North responded by saying that the issue will be resolved when Seoul’s policies on North Korea become future-oriented.