The Unification Ministry is denying reports that the government is mulling resuming the provision of rice aid to North Korea.

A ministry spokesman told a news briefing Monday that the government will continue to halt aid to North Korea in response to the North’s sinking of the “Cheonan” naval vessel in March.

But he said, however, that Seoul will continue to offer aid to North Korean infants and other vulnerable sectors of the impoverished population from a humanitarian stance.