Seoul, South Korea (dailynewyorknews) – The South Korean government on Friday approved the first shipment of food aid to North Korea since the death of dictator Kim Jong-il last month.

South Korean Unification Ministry gave the go-ahead to send the January 27 180 tons of flour for primary schools and kindergartens for Peace Foundation of Korea, Kim Hyung-suk, a spokesman for the ministry said in a conference .

North Korea has agreed to accept the cargo, the ministry said.

Pyongyang announced the death of Kim on December 19, prompting speculation about the reclusive state stability and its possible consequences for the region in general. Kim’s youngest son and designated successor, Kim Jong Un, has replaced the regime of “supreme leader”.

The dysfunctional economy of the country affected by the failed policies and international sanctions, has led to hunger and malnutrition over the past two decades. Other countries and international organizations have repeatedly intervened to food aid, and more recently to reduce chronic malnutrition among vulnerable groups.

The food aid this month comes from the Peace Foundation, a civic group. The South Korean government official stopped food aid to the North in 2008 when the government of President Lee Myung-bak took office. Lee took a harder line toward Pyongyang than his two recent predecessors.

His government allowed civic groups to send aid to the North as long as they official approval. And first decided last year to provide food aid through international organizations.

United States suspended shipments of food aid to North Korea in 2009 against the backdrop of tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear program and concerns that supplies are not reaching those most in need.

Just before the death of old Kim, the U.S. held talks with North Korean officials in Beijing to observe the necessary control mechanisms before America could extend food aid to the people of North Korea . The provision of food aid was seen as a way to return to North Korea for talks on its uranium enrichment program.

The period of mourning after the death of Kim’s efforts seemed to hold.

Eight representatives of the Foundation will visit North Korea to deliver aid, Jan. 27, and two remain overnight to oversee the delivery of food, the ministry said.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/20/world/asia/north-korea-food-aid/index.html?hpt=ias_c1