There was no reference in the final communique to the DPRK's nuclear programme, which has been the focus of intense international negotiations. However the RoK officials said the aid would still be dependent on progress over the nuclear issue.
 

The resumption of aid was delayed after the DPRK missed a deadline to close a nuclear reactor in a landmark deal.

The Pyongyang talks continued through the night into a fifth, unscheduled day as both parties negotiated intensely over rice and nuclear weapons.

The rice shipments are due to begin arriving in the DPRK in May.

Under the 13 February deal - signed by the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the US - the DPRK agreed to "shut down and seal" its Yongbyon reactor within 60 days in return for aid.