The briefing said the contribution will come from the Inter-Korean Co-operation Fund and be distributed through international bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGO).

The ministry said they will allocate about US$13 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and nearly US$4 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in support of the two organisations’ DPRK infant support projects.

Also, a number of NGO programmes will receive about US$5.1 million to help reduce malnutrition, deliver medical aid and enhance education systems in the DPRK.

On the same day, local media reported that the RoK will seek to discuss nuclear issues of the DPRK not only multilateral negotiations but also in inter-Korea bilateral talks.

The RoK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Unification are set to brief President Lee Myung-bak on the planned move on December 31.