South Korea Unexpectedly Approves Aid to North

[Origanalist]

Food, Medical Aid Destined for Children, Pregnant Women
Jason Ditz Posted on September 21, 2017

In a move no one expected, and which puts them squarely at odds with the US, South Korea today announced the provision of a new $8 million aid package for neighboring North Korea. The provision of humanitarian aid is directly in contrast with US calls for “more pressure.”

South Korea’s Unification Ministry says that there is no risk of the aid being diverted to military use, and will not include any cash payments. Rather, the aid is to wholly be in the form of food and medicine for children and pregnant women.

This is particularly timely, as North Korean Ambassador Han Tae Song was complaining to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on Wednesday that the mounting UN-imposed sanctions are endangering local children, and forcing cuts in both health and education for them.

That UN sanctions are predominantly hitting children is hardly a shock, as it’s generally the case with major sanctions against any country. That South Korea is mitigating the worst of this harm risks fueling leading to a US backlash, as the US and South Korea have long been on different pages on North Korea, as to whether to continue escalating tensions or try diplomacy.

http://news.antiwar.com/2017/09/21/s...-aid-to-north/

[Swordsmyth]

Why would this not be expected?

They don't want Seoul obliterated and the current government ran on a platform of reconciliation with the north.

[goldenequity]

$8M isn't going to go far... part food/part medical designated for 'children'.

The South said it aimed to send $4.5 million worth of nutritional products for children and pregnant women
through the World Food Programme
and $3.5 million worth of vaccines and medicinal treatments through UNICEF.

“We have consistently said we would pursue humanitarian aid for North Korea
in consideration of the poor conditions children and pregnant women are in there, apart from political issues,”
said Unification Minister Cho Myong-gyon.

Population 24 million = 30 cents/capita

[Origanalist]

Why would this not be expected?

They don't want Seoul obliterated and the current government ran on a platform of reconciliation with the north.

Good question. I just copied the article but I agree.

[oyarde]

You cannot appease an enemy .

[Swordsmyth]

You cannot appease an enemy .

Especially not an insane dictator.

[Origanalist]

If North Korea would quite spending so much developing nukes and ICBM's maybe they would'nt have so many hungry kids. But then again if we weren't so hell bent on being world police maybe our grandkids wouldn't be in debt.

[goldenequity]

I'm sure the 'irony' is not lost on anyone
while China agrees to 'halt all banking' with them....

S.Korea sends them $8million.

[timosman]

If North Korea would quite spending so much developing nukes and ICBM's maybe they would'nt have so many hungry kids. But then again if we weren't so hell bent on being world police maybe our grandkids wouldn't be in debt.

There is a big difference. Our debt never calls.