A senior official says the government is positively considering approving rice aid to North Korea if civic groups apply for it under the goal of helping the North recover from flood damage.

The comment is viewed as the government's willingness to accept growing calls by politicians and civic groups for allowing the sending of rice assistance to help North Korea recover from severe flooding.

Seoul is expected to resume rice aid to the North.

The official says the government will not set a fixed amount and will positively review the scale of aid possible within the private sector's capacity.

But he says Seoul has no plans for large-scale rice aid to North Korea for the time being.