An expert on Korean Peninsula affairs at the U.S. Congressional Research Service says Washington is running a working-level task force to review the resumption of food aid to North Korea.

Mark Manyin told U.S.-based Radio Free Asia that the U.S. government is planning how it will react if North Korea hints at a serious food shortage or directly asks for food aid.

According to Manyin, some North Korea experts believe that with its recent appeasement policies, the North is setting the table for food aid from the international community.

Manyin suggested that the size of a U.S. reward depends on developments in its bilateral interactions with North Korea.

He said that if he is willing to do so, U.S. President Barack Obama is capable of providing 50 million U.S. dollars in aid to any country he sees fit.