Until the 1980s, South Korea used to be a recipient of humanitarian food aid.
It is now a donor to developing nations, after joining the Food Assistance Convention earlier this year.
Seoul's first shipment of rice departed from Gunsan Port today.
Our Park Hee-jun was there to witness the historic moment.
South Korea has sent its first donation of rice overseas,... since joining the Food Assistance Convention this January.
Following a ceremony led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs,... a ship carrying thousands of tons of locally grown rice left Gunsan Port in Jeollabuk-do Province on Thursday,... to deliver 12-thousand tons of rice to Yemen, and 10-thousand tons to Ethiopia, through the World Food Programme.

"Decades ago, South Korea used to receive humanitarian food aid from international bodies. And now, with the first take-off of rice shipment,... Korea has become the first country that has turned to a food donor... from a country that once received it."

"Today is a historic moment, because it is the first time that Korea is sending food aid to Africa. This is a milestone in the relations between Korea and African countries."

The FAC has 16 members, including the United States, the European Union, and Japan-- and in total,... they promised to donate 3-point-2 billion U.S. dollars of food within the year.
And South Korea has promised the sixth highest amount,... with food aid worth at least 42-million dollars.

"Joining the FAC will be a stepping stone for local rice exports. It will not only raise the global status of our country,... but also help control the excess supply of rice in the country."

The government will send the rest of the promised 50-thousand tons of rice,... to countries in the Middle East and Africa by the year's end.
And depending on the recipient countries' needs and domestic finances,... it may increase the amount of aid in the coming years.

Park Hee-jun, Arirang News, Gunsan.