The South Korean government is pushing ahead with plans to send humanitarian food aid to the North.
However, instead of expressing its gratitude,... North Korea has labeled Seoul's efforts to help as quite condescending.
Cha Sang-mi reports.
Despite the regime's recent firings of short-range missiles, the South Korean government is still pushing forth ways to provide humanitarian food aid to the North.
And to this, one of North Korea's propaganda websites Meari on Sunday condemned the idea,.. blasting South Korea's attempt as rather condescending.
It said it was deriding for the people of North Korea as South Korea is pushing aside the basic problems of the inter-Korean joint declaration to instead talk about a few cases of insubstantial humanitarian aid... all while making it sound like the move will lead to huge progress in inter-Korean ties.
It further criticized Seoul for being "ill-mannered" and "deceitful" to people who share their roots... citing South Korea's attempt to facilitate (quote) "joke-like bartering or personal exchanges".
The news outlet said that, if South Korea was genuinely interested in developing inter-Korean relations, it should stick to the implementation of the agreed joint declaration on inter-Korean cooperation, without being self-conscious of the United States.
Although Meari did not directly mention the food aid that's being reviewed by Seoul, analysts say the word "humanitarian" hints at the project.
North Korea expert Dr. Shin Beom-chul says the North is putting out two different messages -- expressing disgruntlement about Seoul's approach to influence denuclearization talks with humanitarian aid -- and second, a message to refrain from discussion of North Korea's food shortages.
"It's an expression of dissatisfaction with the South Korean government that blocked public attempts to change the method of inter-Korean dialogue or denuclearization talks... and publicizing the issue through humanitarian aid."
Responding to the criticism, South Korea's Presidential Office said it will remain cool-headed and carry on with its plan to send food aid as Meari is not an outlet with public confidence,... adding that the website did not directly target the food assistance for criticism.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.