South Korean Coast Guard officers try to rescue Chinese fisherman in Jeju, South Korea
After years of tension between North and South Korea, the governments will resume dialogue to discuss South Korea’s plan to provide humanitarian aid to the North. Brought on after flooding and typhoons severly damaged regions of North Korea, the South Korean Red Cross Society first offered aid last week.
For the first time in two years, North Korea has decided to accept aid from the South Korean government. The United Nations World Food Program appealed for emergency help for the North after Typhoon Bolaven left 21,000 homeless and killing 48 in the country.
Among other damage, North Korea reports the typhoon injured more than 50 people and destroyed tens of thousands of acres of crops. In South Korea, the typhoon caused major disruption and 15 deaths were reported.
A wave caused by Typhoon Bolaven in South Korea
Humanitarian groups working in North Korea have described severe malnourishment throughout the country. Surprisingly, the reclusive Northern government released footage of houses submerged and farmlands destroyed by the typhoon.
In addition to the wreckage from Typhoon Bolaven, North Korea experienced severe rains and flooding in July leaving at least 169 dead and left more than 200,000 homeless. In June, the United Nations appealed for $198 million in humanitarian aid for North Korea stating that two-thirds of the country’s people suffer from chronic food shortages.
North Korean residents stand next to a road as flood water pours into a caved-in area in Songchon county
Negotiations are planned to continue via document exchanges in the neutral village of Panmunjom.
– Juan Frausto
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