Following news that a North Korean special economic zone suffered flood damage, the government said Thursday that it would consider providing aid to Pyongyang if the North makes a request.
 
A Unification Ministry official in Seoul said the North’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday that the Rason special economic zone in North Hamgyong Province was pounded with more than 250 millimeters of rain and suffered 40 human casualties.
 
The official said related agencies, including the Korea Meteorological Administration, are trying to confirm whether the North's reports of damage match the South’s data.
 
The official said it is the government’s basic position that it will consider providing aid once a request is made. He said if the North asks for assistance, the government will then go over the request after taking into consideration various factors, including the status of inter-Korean relations.