First Shipment of Private Aid to NK

Bolstered by the zeal and goodwill of a religious-based civilian group, 26 thousand articles of childrens clothing will be sent to North Korea. This is the inaugural shipment for private organizations, as the government recently allowed civic organizations to provide support directly to North Korea and not through the Korean Red Cross as was the previous case.
The Federation of Korean Christians for Support of North Korea, whose executive chairman is Pastor Shim Kun Sik, will deliver 710 million won worth of childrens clothing on March 4. The clothing was donated by more than 20 clothing manufacturers expressly for North Korea.
Childrens clothing was specifically requested by a North Korean religious organization, Chosun Christian Confederation, through the auspices of the World Christian Council(WCC).
On February 24, permission to send the clothing was received from the Ministry of Unification. A source from the Ministry stated that civic groups have shown a great deal of interest in helping North Korea.