Government agencies are discussing the unconditional provision of medical aid to help North Korea tackle the spread of H1N1 influenza.

Upon completing related discussions, Seoul will send a notice on the aid offer to Pyongyang.

The Unification Ministry will host discussions with other related agencies, including the Health Ministry, regarding measures to quickly and unconditionally provide the North with antiviral drugs and vaccinations for the new flu.

A Unification Ministry official said the ministry is also discussing with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention how to procure more antiviral drugs for North Korea.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency says a total of nine people are confirmed to have contracted the new flu in the communist country.

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