S. Korean ship with fertilizer leaves for N. Korea

Asian Economic News, May 7, 2001

SEOUL, May 2 Kyodo

A South Korean ship carrying 13,000 tons of fertilizer, the first batch of 200,000 tons in fertilizer aid promised to North Korea, left the southern port of Yosu for North Korea on Wednesday, South Korea's Red Cross officials said.

Red Cross officials said shipment of the 200,000 tons of fertilizer will be completed by around June 5.

Wednesday's shipment is scheduled to reach North Korea's western port of Nampo on Saturday, they said.

The second and third shipments of fertilizer will reportedly depart the eastern port of Ulsan for Haeju in North Korea's west on Thursday and Saturday.

North Korea requested from South Korea 200,000 tons of fertilizer earlier this month.

Seoul decided last Thursday to fund the fertilizer aid using about 68 billion won ($52 million) from the South-North Exchanges and Cooperation Fund, which is state money set aside to promote inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation.

Last year, South Korea sent 500,000 tons of rice and corn, worth about $90 million, as well as 300,000 tons of fertilizer to North Korea. In 1999, it provided North Korea with 155,000 tons of fertilizer.