The Unification Ministry said Tuesday that it is positively assessing supporting the United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) in conducting a North Korean census.
 
A ministry official told reporters that the government sufficiently recognizes the need to support such a census and is seeking to review the matter. The official said the ministry is carrying out working-level talks with the UNFPA.
 
The UN agency requested that the South Korean government provide six million dollars in support which the government is positive about doing as the census will help determine North Koreans’ overall lifestyles and could serve as basic material for advancing inter-Korean economic cooperation.
 
The North is set to carry out the census with help from the UNFPA next year. For that goal, the agency is said to be currently conducting an inspection on a trial basis.
 
It would mark the first time in ten years for a North Korean census to be conducted.
 
In 2008, South Korea provided four million dollars for the census. 

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