South Korea gauging proper timing for planned aid to N. Korea

South Korea said Tuesday it is gauging an "appropriate" time to implement its planned aid to North Korea via U.N. agencies.

In September, South Korea approved a plan to offer US$8 million in humanitarian assistance to North Korea to support infants and pregnant women, amid tensions sparked by North Korea's provocations.

Seoul said at that time it will later decide on the timing of an actual provision by taking into account the inter-Korean situation.

"The government has kept the stance (over the need to support those in need in North Korea) on humanitarian grounds, but it also takes into account various factors for the provision of the aid at an appropriate time," said an official at Seoul's unification ministry.

North Korea has refrained from provocations for two months following its launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan. (Yonhap)