hankyoreh

By Kim Kyu-won, staff reporter
South Koreans and North Korean defectors will soon be able to send money freely and legally to family members in North Korea.
The Unification Ministry announced on June 11 that it had provided notice of a planned amendment to the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act that would allow people with family members in North Korea to send them up to a certain amount to cover living and medical expenses without requiring approval.
South Koreans would also be able to remit a portion of an inheritance to non-family members in North Korea.
The ministry added that the specific amount that could be sent would be specified during setting of the related enforcement decree after passage of the amendment. Currently, all remittances from South Korea to North Korea are strictly controlled and require government approval.
Plans were also made to introduce a registration system for people involved in inter-Korean trade. All licensed businesspeople without any violations of the Exchange and Cooperation Act on their record over the past year will be able to register to trade and receive government support.
Previously, the lack of regulations on approval and reporting for those involved in trade led to difficulties in determining their situation and providing them with support.

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