Seoul: Unification Minister Chung Dong-young announced that the South Korean government intends to resume the use of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund for humanitarian projects in North Korea once bilateral contact is reestablished. This statement was made during a meeting with the NGO Council for Inter-Korean Cooperation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chung expressed concern over the lack of execution of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund in the previous year. Established in 1991, the fund aims to support economic cooperation as well as social and cultural exchanges between South and North Korea. The fund's budget reached its peak in 2007 at 439.7 billion won (US$317.4 million) but has significantly declined due to North Korea's ongoing nuclear and missile activities. The most recent allocation from the fund was in 2023, where 900 million won was directed towards a child nutrition program.

Chung has recently approved changes to ministry guidelines regarding contact with North Koreans. Under these new regulations, South Korean nationals are permitted to engage with North Koreans, provided they report such contact in advance. Chung encouraged civic groups to take a more active role in improving inter-Korean relations, stating, "Just report it and meet them freely." Choi Chang-nam, vice chairman of the NGO Council, welcomed the eased restrictions, noting that they were a relief for activists.

According to the ministry, no government or civilian-led humanitarian aid projects were carried out for North Korea in 2024.