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S. Korea to fund $1.3 million UN census of N. Korea

January 29, 2015
South Korean Internet portal Daum provides a North Korean map service. The service features detailed information and sky views of the North's cities, roads, buildings and mountains, among others. (Photo courtesy of Daum Communications) (Yonhap)

South Korean Internet portal Daum provides a North Korean map service. The service features detailed information and sky views of the North’s cities, roads, buildings and mountains, among others. (Photo courtesy of Daum Communications) (Yonhap)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — South Korea decided Thursday to offer US$1.3 million in assistance for a United Nations census of the North Korean population this year, the unification ministry said.

The ministry plans to use the inter-Korean cooperation fund to support the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), which is to conduct social and demographic research of the secretive communist nation’s households. The decision was made at a government-civilian committee meeting chaired by Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae.

“The survey is intended to gather basic data for the international community’s effective North Korea projects, including the U.N. agencies’ nutritional assistance programs for babies and infants in North Korea,” said the ministry.

The South’s government provided the UNFPA with $2.3 million for its 2008 North Korea census. The next census is slated for 2018.

The panel also agreed to spend 3.2 billion won ($2.9 million) for the publication of a joint dictionary of the two Koreas.

In 2006, lexicographers from the two sides launched a committee to put out what is called the Big Dictionary of the Korean People’s Language.