The European Union will send 50 Korean-speaking officials to North Korea to monitor food aid distribution in the Stalinist country. Radio Free Asia cited the European Commission as saying the agents will make sure recently pledged foodstuffs worth US$14.5 million are not diverted for other purposes but delivered to women, children and the elderly in the North's Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces.
The EU says it plans to conduct 400 random checks at various locations where the aid packages will be sent.
| How random will they be in a country where the secret police and the army control everything? |
Meanwhile, Voice of America reports that the World Food Programme and Save the Children will transport 20,000 tons of rice, corn, beans and other food products to North Korea starting later this month. |