The Unification Ministry says it will temporarily allow the shipment of raw materials and parts for processing brought-in materials to North Korea.

The measure is limited to raw materials ordered for contracts signed before Seoul began punitive measures against Pyongyang for the sinking of the Cheonan May 24th.

The ministry said Sunday that the latest measure is aimed at minimizing the damage to South Korean companies that process brought-in materials in the North, though all inter-Korean trade and economic cooperation projects have been suspended except the Gaeseong industrial complex.

Shipments will be allowed to the South of complete products processed in the North with the materials, which will be shipped to the North under the latest measure.

The ministry beefed up efforts to monitor North Korean products shipped to the South via a third country, however.