Sept. 9 (Bloomberg) -- South Korea is considering providing $20 million in food aid to North Korea through the United Nations World Food Program, the Dong-a Ilbo reported, citing a government official it didn't identify.

The government is likely to decide when to offer the aid after Oct. 10, the Korean-language newspaper reported.

North Korea's worst food shortage in a decade may continue until next year's harvest as poor availability of fuel and fertilizer threaten to lower production in the current growing season, the United Nations said on July 30.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sungwoo Park in Seoul at spark47@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: September 8, 2008 18:15 EDT