By Kang Hyun-kyung
The government said Wednesday it was working closely with Japan to determine what aid requirements the neighboring country needs as it recovers from last Friday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) said drinking water and blankets were among items that were a priority.
It is considering sending up to 100 tons of drinking water to Japan if logistics conditions can be met.
“The Japanese government requested us to review their list of needed items and determine what we can offer them,” a MOFAT official told reporters during a briefing.
She declined to give details regarding the items. She said, “We need to look into if we have the items in sufficient quantities to meet the demand from Japan.”
Seoul also plans to tap into government reserve funds as its remaining emergency relief fund ($50,000) is insufficient to help the earthquake-hit country.
Immediately after the March 11 earthquake, Seoul dispatched a rescue team ― five rescue workers with two dogs ― to Japan.
It sent additional rescue workers along with a medical team later. South Korean rescue workers began search efforts, along with 50 Japanese police, in Miyagi Prefecture, Wednesday.