South Korea authorizes WHO to distribute medical aid for malnourished North Korean children

Nov 9 2011

"South Korea on Tuesday authorized the World Health Organization [WHO] to resume distribution of Seoul-funded medical aid to North Korea, amid growing calls for humanitarian assistance for malnourished North Korean children," the New York Times reports (Sang-Hun, 11/8). "Seoul has authorized the WHO to release $6.94 million to equip hospitals in the North, said the official of the unification ministry, which handles cross-border ties," Agence France-Presse writes. "Seoul decided to unblock its WHO funding 'by taking into account its stance of maintaining its humanitarian aid for infants, children and other vulnerable people in the North, and the WHO's request,' [a South Korean] ministry official said on condition of anonymity," AFP notes (11/8).