A Study on the Recognition of Humanitarian Aid for North Korea:Focused on a Search for the Aim of the Government and NGOs

This study purports to search the aim of activities of the government and NGOs based on the survey on people’s recognition of humanitarian aid for North Korea which is now under suspension since the beginning of President Lee, Myung-bak’s government. Over the two governments of President Kim, Dae-jung and Roh, Moo-hyun, aid for North Korea through the government or NGOs was basically based on brotherhood and humanitarianism. However, with the start of President Lee, Myung-bak’s government, humanitarian aid for North Korea is linked to political aspects and being discontinued. Under ‘Plan for Pacification of the Korean Peninsula’ President Lee, conflict solving based on principles and rules, and providing humanitarian aid are the two difficult issues that cannot be compatible. The substantial issue of aid for North Korea is whether to base on humanitarianism or to take into account political aspects as well. Survey results also show the two contrary opinions about the issue. As can be seen from the result, the necessity of humanitarian aid for North Korea is a nationwide acknowledgement. What comes along is the necessity of the principle and rules. From this result the necessity of ‘far more flexible North Korea policy’ is raised.