South Korean trucks carrying aid flour to North Korea through the border crossing of Paju province, South Korea. (Photo: AFP / VNA)

The two sides discussed such issues as joint projects between South Korea and the UN body, UNDP projects on North Korea, and the implementation of reform measures for the UN development system.

Earlier this month, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said it would be difficult for Seoul to deliver food aid to Pyongyang in September as planned. Following a UN report that North Korea's rice production output last year dropped to its lowest level in more than 10 years due to storms, floods and heat waves, South Korea pledged to provide 50,000 tons of rice to the North through the World Food Program (WFP). However, South Korean officials said North Korea refused the aid in the context of stalled talks on inter-Korean relations and denuclearization between the North and the US.