South Korean non-governmental organizations started shipping humanitarian aid to North Korea on Monday to help alleviate the plight of disadvantaged people living in the impoverished country.

The move comes after the unification ministry early last week allowed 12 local NGOs to send goods to show Seoul is open to offering urgent humanitarian assistance to the North despite punitive sanctions imposed by the United Nations, and rocky cross-border relations.

The move marks the second time under the Park Geun-hye administration, which took office in late February, that Seoul has approved shipments of medicine, food and other basic materials to the communist country.

Local charity group Korean Sharing Movement said it has shipped 40 million won ($36,700) worth of medical supplies through Incheon port, with the supplies to reach Nampho via Dandong China.

The Eugene Bell Foundation said supplies worth 700 million won will leave for the North on Tuesday to help people suffering from virulent strains of tuberculosis. It plans to send nutritional supplements, medical supplies and clothing for patients.

Movement for One Corea and Korea Peace Foundation also said they plan to send aid to the North on Friday totaling a combined 100 million won.

Along with the supplies, the four organizations said they will send over monitoring personnel to make certain shipments reach people who need it the most.

The ministry said the eight other NGOs will be permitted to ship supplies once they receive clearance from the North that aid will be distributed in a transparent manner. (Yonhap News)