The South Korean government is known to have deferred humanitarian aid to North Korea which it has been considering providing through international organizations.
 
A Unification Ministry official said Monday that the government’s basic stance remains unchanged that providing humanitarian aid to North Korea is separate from the political situation.
 
However, the official added that with the North's repeated provocations, Seoul will carefully review the matter in consideration of Pyongyang's attitude, global movements and the response of the South Korean public.
  
Another official said that humanitarian assistance will be difficult for now in the wake of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile launches and its sixth nuclear test.
 
Since the Moon Jae-in administration took office, the Unification Ministry has been discussing with the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme about resuming assistance for vulnerable North Koreans including infants. 
 
It's believed the government initially planned to carry out the aid provision through the global agencies this month following the conclusion of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint military exercise with the U.S. 

[Photo : ]