NK Asks for 500,000 Tons of Rice

South and North Korea hold the 2nd meeting of Economic Cooperation Promotion Committees at the Grand Hilton Hotel, downtown Seoul on the 28th. At the 1st general session and the working-level meeting, both Koreas discussed pending issues in economic cooperation including relinking cross-border railroads and road.

Through the keynote address, the North Korean delegations showed interest in practical matters such as South Korea`s food assistance. It has not yet been confirmed how much rice North Korea requested, but it is said to be the range of 300,000 to 500,000 tons. North Korea did not mention the provision of electricity proposed by South Korea at the meeting.

The government initially set its position to respond to the rice aide issue according to the attitude of North Korea at the meeting. So the government just proposed North Korea to break ground for the construction of relinking cross-border railroads and road before the end of September.

Cho Myeong-gyun, chief South Korean delegate said, "South and North Korea clarified their position on the three basic agenda such as relinking cross-border railroads and road, taking measures to prevent flood around the Imjin River and setting up an industrial complex in Gaesung, North Korea. These agenda were agreed upon at the 7th ministerial talks between the two countries.

Kwang-Am Cheon Young-Sik Kim iam@donga.com spear@donga.com