Seoul to review size, format of Pyongyang food assistance: Cheong Wa Dae

South Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration said Wednesday it will begin official procedures associated with its plan for food aid to Pyongyang. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae

South Korea's Moon Jae-in administration will soon begin official procedures associated with its plan for food aid to North Korea, a Cheong Wa Dae official said Wednesday.

The official, however, said it's still too early to talk in detail about the issue, as the government has yet to review the size, format and other specifics.

Moon and U.S. President discussed the humanitarian issue in their phone conversation Tuesday night (Seoul time).

"We are at a stage of beginning a review of all those matters," including preparations for domestic procedures, the official told reporters in a background briefing.

Despite Pyongyang's latest show of power on the weekend, Trump expressed support for Seoul's provision of food aid to the poverty-stricken communist nation, according to Moon's office.

In a joint report, the World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization said 10 million people in North Korea, 40 percent of the population, are in urgent need of food.

Meanwhile, Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, plans to visit Cheong Wa Dae during his trip here later this week, according to the official.

It has not been decided yet whether Moon will meet with the envoy in person, the official added. (Yonhap)