Reps. Woo Sang-ho, Hong Ihk-pyo and In Jae-keun said in a news conference that the sudden decision by Pyongyang not to accept South Korean support was anticipated because it had rejected a similar offer for instant noodles and flour in 2011.
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Reps. Woo Sang-ho (C), Hong Ihk-pyo (L) and In Jae-keun criticize the South Korean government for Pyongyang's rejection of food aid at the National Assembly in Seoul on Sept. 13, 2013. (Yonhap) |
On Wednesday, the North sent a cabled notification saying it did not need the kind of aid being offered. This was a turnaround from the announcement made on Monday that the hard-hit country was ready to accept flood aid from the South.
Seoul proposed to provide 10,000 tons of flour, instant noodles and medicine all worth a total of 10 billion won (US$8.86 million).
"When sending aid, it is appropriate to give products that the recipient wants instead of unilaterally sending goods that we think the other sides needs," Woo said.
He did not say what should have been sent, but claimed that South Korea's Unification Ministry mishandled the matter.
The three legislators said sending food to the North would have been the perfect opportunity to start cross-border talks that have effectively been suspended under the incumbent Lee Myung-bak administration.
North Korean watchers speculated that the North's sudden refusal took place because of the types and quantity of aid proposed by Seoul.
The communist country is believed to have been seeking rice and cement, but Seoul has been reserved about such shipments for fear of misuse.
In addition to being critical of the South, the three lawmakers also said it was not proper for the North to reject South's offer of help.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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