[NEWS IN-DEPTH] S. Korean government gathers public opinion on food aid for N. Korea

정부, 대북 식량지원 의견수렴 돌입... 인도적 지원 가시화

Humanitarian assistance for North Korea appears to be in the works. South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with David Beasley, the executive director of the World Food Programme to share views on North Korea's food shortages and discuss ways to provide assistance.
Today we go in-depth to the progress on Seoul's food aid plans so far.
And for that, Dr. Go Myong-hyun , a research fellow from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies joins us in the studio today.

Q1)
Despite North Korea's firing of short-range missiles into the East Sea last week,... the South Korean government still remains firm about providing humanitarian assistance to North Korea. Before we get started, let's discuss Seoul's intentions first.
Q2)
But a recent public opinion poll shows that people are largely divided over the issue. It shows that 46 percent are in favor of humanitarian assistance,... while 50 percent are against the idea. The government says it will first get public consensus on the matter -- do you think it will require a fair bit of persuasion?
Q3)
The South Korean government has stressed that the issue of providing food aid should not be linked to politics. Do you think it's possible to separate the issues?
Q4)
Seoul approved a plan back in 2017 to send 8 million U.S. dollars worth of humanitarian aid to North Korea.
But that plan was never put to action. South Korea is pushing to send food assistance to North Korea by no later than September to help ease worsening food shortages. How much and in what format do you think is appropriate?
Q5-1)
A North Korean propaganda media outlet has been critical of South Korea's food assistance plans,... saying that it's putting fundamental issues related to the implementation of their joint declarations on the back burner. Do you think it's out of protest about Seoul's approach to influence denuclearization talks with humanitarian assistance,... or a message to refrain discussions of North Korea's dire food shortages?
Q5-2)
If the North refuses to accept the aid,... whatever the reason may be,... what sort of implications would this have for the regime and its food shortage situation?
Q6)
Now, amidst the discussions over food aid,... acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan says Washington remains focused on diplomacy to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons program, although its military will be prepared in the event that effort fails.
The U.S. keeps stressing dialogue despite the short-range missile launches. Why?
Q7)
So despite North Korea playing some "military" cards,... the situation hasn't changed much or turned in their favor. In this case, what could be the potential next move of the regime? Do you see further military action down the line?
Q8)
Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of China and Russia met in Sochi on Monday and expressed their will to actively participate in denuclearization talks. The two sides also agreed that they are prepared to provide security guarantees to North Korea after denuclearization. What do you think their intentions are?