South Korea has approved two private groups' plans to send humanitarian aid to North Korea.

A Unification Ministry official said on Tuesday that two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -- the International Love Foundation and the Okedongmu Children in Korea – will send powdered milk and medicine to orphanages and medical clinics for children in Pyongyang and Wonsan in the North.

The official said the ministry is reviewing the same request from several other South Korean groups to get shipments approved.