North Korea rejects South’s flood aid offer

North Korea rebuffed a substantial offer of flood aid from Seoul, Wednesday, saying it did not need the proposed items.

Officials here said that the North, in a cabled response to a list of items worth $8.88 million, said, “We do not need such aid.”

Whether the move closed the door on the possibility of rare aid talks remained to be seen. One official, however, said the government was “not raising its hopes” for further negotiations.

“It is very regretful that they refused this aid,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “But we remain open to providing humanitarian assistance to North Koreans in need.”

The package included 10,000 tons of flour as well as instant noodles and medicine. The proposal was made Monday based on Seoul’s assessment of “what they really need and what we can provide.”

The North rejected a flood aid package last year as well, asking for rice and cement.

Rare communication this month raised cautious hopes the sides could meet to discuss aid and other concerns, such as stalled reunions of families divided by the 1950-53 Korean War.

On Monday, Pyongyang had indicated it would welcome aid and asked Seoul to specify the quantity and type it had in mind.

The Lee administration has been cautious in offering help, following sanctions implemented after two deadly attacks by the North in 2010 _ the sinking of the Cheonan, a Republic of Korea Navy ship, and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.

On Tuesday, Seoul indicated it had not ruled out sending rice or cement. Officials did not elaborate on why the administration did not offer those items, but many believe they can be stockpiled for military use.

Pyongyang has maintained a harsh anti-Lee rhetoric under new leader Kim Jong-un, who took power in December. <The Korea Times/Kim Young-jin>

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