South Korean aid groups to seek COVID

People watch a TV screen at a train station in Seoul showing a file image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a news program, May 14. A group of South Korean civic groups campaigning for aid for North Korea announced plans Thursday to provide Pyongyang with medical assistance worth 12 billion won ($10 million). Yonhap

A group of South Korean civic groups campaigning for aid for North Korea announced plans Thursday to provide Pyongyang with medical assistance worth 12 billion won ($10 million) in a bid to help it cope with a COVID-19 outbreak.

The move comes amid no response from the reclusive North to the South Korean government's offer for consultations on cooperation in its fight against the coronavirus crisis.

During a joint press conference in Seoul, three organizations ― the Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea (KNCCK), the Korea Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, and the Civil Peace Forum ― made public the project to send such items as COVID-19 test kits, masks, protective suits, antibiotics and antipyretic drugs.

They welcomed President Yoon Suk-yeol's stated commitment earlier this week on sending coronavirus aid to the North, including vaccines and other medical supplies, and stressed the need to carry out the offer "in a sincere way that is acceptable to North Korea."

They also urged the North to take up the South Korean government's proposal and come forward for dialogue.

The groups said they will also try to reach out to North Korea early next week through "all routes" possible. (Yonhap)