This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23586026
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
South Korea approves $6m aid for North Korean children | South Korea approves $6m aid for North Korean children |
(about 3 hours later) | |
South Korea is providing $6m (£4m) in aid to North Korea, amid deadlock over reviving the jointly-run Kaesong Industrial Complex. | South Korea is providing $6m (£4m) in aid to North Korea, amid deadlock over reviving the jointly-run Kaesong Industrial Complex. |
South Korean officials say it is the first time in two years that government aid has been sent to North Korea. | South Korean officials say it is the first time in two years that government aid has been sent to North Korea. |
The North, which suffered severe floods in the last two years, relies on aid to feed its people. | The North, which suffered severe floods in the last two years, relies on aid to feed its people. |
But the flow of aid from Seoul has been halted in recent years amid deadlock over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. | But the flow of aid from Seoul has been halted in recent years amid deadlock over North Korea's nuclear ambitions. |
The aid will be sent through the UN children's charity Unicef, and will provide vaccines, medical care and food for children. | The aid will be sent through the UN children's charity Unicef, and will provide vaccines, medical care and food for children. |
The pledge marks a change in tone between the two nations after months of political stalemate, the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul reports. | The pledge marks a change in tone between the two nations after months of political stalemate, the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul reports. |
However, relations between the two countries remain mired in mistrust, our correspondent adds. | However, relations between the two countries remain mired in mistrust, our correspondent adds. |
Talks on resuming operations at the joint Kaesong industrial zone ended in deadlock over Seoul's insistence that Pyongyang agree not to unilaterally close the complex again. | Talks on resuming operations at the joint Kaesong industrial zone ended in deadlock over Seoul's insistence that Pyongyang agree not to unilaterally close the complex again. |
The zone has been closed since April, when North Korea withdrew its workers. | The zone has been closed since April, when North Korea withdrew its workers. |
The closure came amid high tensions on the peninsula in the wake of North Korea's 12 February nuclear test and then annual US-South Korea military drills. | The closure came amid high tensions on the peninsula in the wake of North Korea's 12 February nuclear test and then annual US-South Korea military drills. |
Pyongyang has not responded to Seoul's offer on 29 July of "final talks" on restarting the zone. | Pyongyang has not responded to Seoul's offer on 29 July of "final talks" on restarting the zone. |
On Wednesday, about 500 South Korean workers and factory owners rallied near the inter-Korean border at Panju, demanding the park be reopened. | On Wednesday, about 500 South Korean workers and factory owners rallied near the inter-Korean border at Panju, demanding the park be reopened. |
Meanwhile, Seoul said it had authorised insurance payments worth 280bn won ($251m; £163m) to South Korean companies affected by the closure of the complex, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. | |
Under insurance rules, companies can receive up to 90% of their investment losses in compensation, and ownership of the companies' assets will go to the government, Yonhap added. |