The USA has put on hold the food aid to be sent to North Korea in return for halting its nuclear and ballistic activities.
US Defense Secretary’s Asia Advisor Peter Lavoy said in a speech at the Congress that because of Pyongyang’s decision to launch a satellite in orbit with a missile next month, the US government will halt the food aid program for North Korea.
Lavoy said sending a satellite will be seen as launching missiles because the technology employed for both actions is the same. "And that proves that they are not willing to comply with their responsibilities." Lavoy added.
Pentagon official did not state whether they have officially started the food aid program for North Korea.
On February 29, North Korea had halted long-range missile launch, nuclear tests, and uranium enrichment in Yongbyon facility. Over this development the USA decided to send 240 thousand tons of foodstuffs for children and pregnant women in North Korea. Washington had announced that it would keep a close eye on the delivery of the aid.
North Korea announced that they will launch a satellite to celebrate the centennial of the communist dictatorship between April 12-16.