Humanitarian assistance from US NGOs to

North Korea in the first half of this year has reached $19.52 million USD, a

nearly fourfold increase from $5 million USD allotted during the same period in

2013, Voice of America [VOA] reported on August 7th.

VOA, citing US Department of Commerce

statistics, reported that from January to June of 2014, exports to North Korea

totaled $19.8 million USD , these goods comprised mostly of aid.

99% of the $19.52 million USD was

categorized as “charity and goods for relief by NGOs.”

Advanced medical equipment, poultry, shoes,

and plastic products numbered among the items provided to the impoverished

nation.

Strict regulations, including United

Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, require that any exports or

re-exports to North Korea be approved by the US Bureau of Industry and

Security.