S. Korea Balks at More Rice for North

South Korea, brushing aside Pyongyang’s release of five captured seamen, on Wednesday ruled out resuming rice aid to the North unless its hungry neighbor changes its attitude.

“There is no change in our government’s position. For additional rice assistance, there must be a change in North Korea’s attitude toward us,” said Deputy Unification Minister Song Young Dae.

Tuesday’s border hand-over of the five seamen was just one prerequisite for additional aid, Song said.

The trawler Woosung was seized in May after it strayed into the North’s waters. Two sailors were killed during its capture, and one later died of illness.

North Korea is on the brink of famine after floods devastated its summer grain crop. Seoul halted its rice aid program after Pyongyang rebuffed requests to release the Woosung’s crew.