DPRK asks for food, cement following S Korea's aid offer

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) asked for food, cement and other supplies following South Korea's offer of flood relief supplies worth 5 billion won (4.7 million U.S. dollars), the Red Cross here said Thursday.

In response, South Korea notified its neighbor it will only send medical supplies and other necessities such as blankets, clothes and instant noodles, according to the non-profit humanitarian organization.

"We hope discussions over flood aid would be concluded soon so we can deliver aid,"the group said in a statement.

Pyongyang's state media reported earlier this week that the country was hit hard by torrential rains between late June and mid- July. Some 8,000 people are reportedly displaced as heavy downpour destroyed 29,000 houses.

South Korea had virtually suspended aid to its northern neighbor following two deadly border incidents last year that altogether killed 50 South Koreans, only allowing humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable.

South Korean government recently approved flour aid to its northern neighbor, the first food aid since the two Koreas exchanged fire near their disputed sea border last November.