[Edaily Reporter Kim In-kyoung ] Although the actual amount of humanitarian aid delivered to North Korean residents last year was “0 won,” it has been revealed that the government has significantly increased the related budget to 667.6 billion won this year. Of this amount, 515.8 billion won—accounting for 77.3% of the total—is allocated to major projects for which, as of September, even the implementation plans remain “undecided.”

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Unification to Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, on the 10th, this year’s budgets for relief aid and livelihood cooperation support amount to 112.23 billion won and 555.38 billion won, respectively, for a total of 667.61 billion won.

By specific project, the current status of relief aid (112.23 billion won), support for North Korean infants and young children (155.815 billion won), and cooperation in agriculture, livestock, forestry, and the environment (247.736 billion won) was listed as “undecided.” Combined, these three projects total 515.781 billion won, accounting for 77.3% of the total budget. Neither the expected execution timeline nor the estimated amount that can be executed was provided.

The only projects for which the Ministry of Unification provided specific estimated executable amounts totaled 994 million won, including 200 million won for a research study on support for establishing a disease control system and 794 million won for operating an integrated management system for humanitarian aid projects. Furthermore, while the ministry reduced the relevant budget by 237.844 billion won last year—taking into account the feasibility of execution within the year—it has increased it by 90.6% this year. The Ministry of Unification explained the rationale for the increase as “a measure to actively support the Lee Jae-myung administration’s policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.” This is why critics argue that the budget is being allocated based solely on a shift in the government’s policy stance, rather than on where the funds can actually be used.