The United States is expected to first consider ways to resume the delivery of 330-thousand tons of rice to North Korea pledged in 2008, if it decides to give aid to the impoverished nationals.

A government source in Seoul said Thursday that Washington is likely to consider the idea as part of a pledge to provide the North with 500-thousand tons of rice during the George W. Bush administration in 2008. The U.S. delivered 170-thousand tons of rice but the shipment of the remaining rice aid was suspended in March 2009 following conflicts over transparency in the North’s distribution of the aid.

The source said it is expected to take a significant amount of time for Washington to make a decision on the issue of providing food aid to the North. The source said that if the U.S. decides to provide such assistance, it would likely seek to deliver the remaining 330-thousand tons of rice from the 2008 pledge rather than devise a new aid plan.

The source said in the process of reaching a decision on the matter, Washington is expected to closely coordinate views with Seoul and factor in any changes in the North’s behavior.