Moon calls for aid for N. Korea children

By Choi Ha-young

President Moon Jae-in has called for increased aid for North Korean children, saying political circumstances should not affect it.

“Humanitarian aid for the North’s healthcare and medical affairs should not be tied to political affairs,” Moon said at a G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday.

Moon said Seoul is planning to help the North while keeping pace with international sanctions against the reclusive country’s nuclear and missile programs, being conscious of its recent launch of intercontinental ballistic missile.

“We intend to join hands with international organizations and civic groups to provide aid within the boundary of international sanctions and thoroughly monitor the process,” he said.

Moon explained the ongoing shortage of food in North Korea, citing a United Nations report. “According to the U.N., 41 percent of North Koreans are malnourished. Specifically, 28 percent of those under five are suffering from malnutrition.”

The President’s remark is an apparent shift from the policy line of his two conservative predecessors. Former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye had gradually decreased aid for North Korea ― through governmental and private routes ― for fear it would embolden the nuclear-armed neighbor.

According to Ministry of Unification statistics, aid delivered to North Korea totaled 439.7 billion won ($380 million) in 2007. It has kept plunging since ― 116 billion won in 2008, 67.1 billion won in 2009, 25.4 billion in 2015 and 2.9 billion won last year.

During the G20 event, Moon reiterated that Seoul will take the lead in relations with Pyongyang, calling for the nuclear-armed nation to halt its military provocations.

Moon also vowed to pursue a greater role in meeting international challenges: refugees, climate change and gender discrimination.

“South Korea saw an influx of an enormous amount of refugees because of the division following the Korean War, and a number of North Koreans are still flocking to the South,” he said during a session Saturday. “Based on our experience and solidarity, we will reach out to refugees.”

According to the civic group Center for Refugee Rights in South Korea, the country’s refugee acceptance rate has remained meager ― 3.9 percent as of April 30 this year ― compared with the global average acceptance rate of about 37 percent.

Moon also supported the Paris climate accord, which was backed by 19 world leaders, except U.S. President Donald Trump. “South Korea will implement the accord faithfully,” Moon said. “We are already changing the paradigm of energy policy to adopt eco-friendly, low-carbon energy.”

In line with his election pledge to fill 30 percent of the Cabinet with female ministers, he advocated rights for women. “The South Korean government will remove the stumbling blocks that interrupt female workers’ careers and will make an effort to reduce the wage disparity between men and women,” the liberal head of state said.