The U.S. has reaffirmed its policy of not resuming food aid to North Korea as long as concerns remain that the government of the North would appropriate the aid for military purposes.

United States Agency for International Development chief Rajiv Shah said regarding discussions of sending food aid to North Korea, USAID has no reliable confirmation that North Korean authorities will not use the food to promote the regime or for other political purposes.

Shah said the agency has highly specific data on the likelihood of food appropriation. He said it would not be possible to decide on resuming food aid until North Korea pledges to distribute the food equally.

USAID halted food aid to North Korea from 2008 and has discussed resuming the assistance since dispatching inspectors to evaluate food demand in the North in May 2011.