Summary of inter-Korean news this week

SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of inter-Korean news this week.

------------
Officials of Koreas hold liaison office meeting after N.K. leader's address

SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) -- Senior officials of South and North Korea met at their joint liaison office on Friday to discuss inter-Korean issues, the first such meeting since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's New Year's speech, the unification ministry said.

Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung, South Korea's chief for the liaison office, met with Kim Kwang-song, a deputy chief on the North Korean side, for about 20 minutes, according to the ministry.

They discussed pending cross-border issues and agreed to work together in advancing inter-Korean relations and bringing lasting peace to the Korean Peninsula, a ministry official said.

------------
S. Korea to provide 200,000 doses of Tamiflu to N. Korea

SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea decided Tuesday to provide North Korea with about 200,000 doses of Tamiflu antiviral medication and other medical materials later this week, the unification ministry said.

The Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Council made the decision and set aside about 3.56 billion won (US$3.2 million) for the project, the ministry said.

The council, made up of government officials and civilian experts, is tasked with reviewing important policies and decisions related to inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects.

------------
S. Korea to consider various elements before permitting businesspeople's trip to Kaesong park: official

SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- The government will consider various factors before making a decision to permit a visit by businesspeople to the now-shuttered inter-Korean industrial complex, a unification ministry official said Wednesday.

A group of people who once operated plants at the industrial park in the North's border town of Kaesong earlier appealed for the government's approval for a trip to the complex next week.

They have pushed unsuccessfully six times to visit the site to check the facilities they left behind when it was abruptly closed in 2016 amid heightened cross-border tensions.

------------
S. Korea postpones provision of promised Tamiflu to N. Korea: official

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has postponed its promised provision of antiviral medication to North Korea as more preparation is needed for the delivery, a unification ministry official said Thursday.

The ministry on Friday decided to deliver 200,000 doses of Tamiflu and 50,000 sets of early medical detection kits to the North. About 10 government officials planned to make a trip to the North's border town of Kaesong to unload the medical materials.

"With regard to the influenza treatment drug provision plan, it was originally to be delivered tomorrow, but it will be delayed a little," a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
(END)