South Korean NGOs’ Deadline to Contact North Korea for Flood Relief Nears
Seoul, South Korea – The deadline for several South Korean non-governmental organizations(NGOs) to contact North Korea for flood relief assistance, granted by the South Korean government, is set to expire this weekend.
According to adocument submitted by the Ministry of Unification to the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, ten NGOs have been authorized to provide flood relief to North Korea.Nine of these organizations’ contact deadlines with North Korea are set for September 29th, while the remaining organization has until October 5th.
Following widespread flooding in North Korea in late July, the Ministry of Unificationreceived applications from these NGOs for flood relief assistance. The government granted permission for these organizations to contact North Korea for a period of one month.
However, as communication with North Korea is only possible through third parties, these NGOs have requestedan extension of the contact period to between three and twelve months. This request was denied by the government.
To date, no NGO has received a response from North Korea. The North Korean government has also not responded to the South Korean government’s offer of assistance through the Korean Red Cross.
Despite the lack ofresponse, NGOs remain committed to continuing their efforts to contact North Korea and re-establish humanitarian exchange and cooperation between the two Koreas. They are exploring various avenues to facilitate communication and secure a response from the North.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in humanitarian cooperation between the two Koreas. While South Korea hasexpressed a willingness to provide assistance, North Korea’s lack of response raises concerns about the potential for further isolation and the impact on those affected by the floods.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, September 26). South Korean NGOs’ Deadline to Contact North Korea forFlood Relief Nears
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