South Korea has joined a key donor group of the International Committee of the Red Cross for the first time after making major contributions last year, the humanitarian organization said Sunday.

The country was recently included in the ICRC's 2023 Donor Support Group, which consists of donors contributing more than 10 million Swiss francs ($11 million) a year, after it contributed 10.5 million Swiss francs to the ICRC last year, according to the ICRC's office in Seoul.

Other than South Korea, the ICRC's major donor group for this year also includes 20 other countries, such as the United States, Germany and Switzerland, as well as the European Commission.

As a member of the donor group, South Korea will be able to take part in high-level talks with the ICRC on its policies and projects, raising expectations for Seoul's possible involvement in the ICRC's projects in North Korea.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICRC operated an office with 11 personnel in Pyongyang for various humanitarian projects, such as those on health, sanitation, physical rehabilitation and demining efforts.

The organization has yet to send its personnel back to North Korea after it pulled them out after the reclusive country implemented strict border restrictions against the pandemic in early 2020. (Yonhap)

(责任编辑：과학)

• ·S. Korean shares snap 3
• ·한총리, 공공기관 전산망 마비에 “인력·장비 총동원 신속복구” 지시
• ·전문가 “북 중거리미사일 고체연료엔진, 러시아 기술 가능성”
• ·윤희숙 "20여년 억대 연봉 송영길이 돈 없다? 못된 버릇 때문"
• ·LG celebrates 1st baseball championship in 29 years with discounts
• ·Samsung family pays tribute to late founder
• ·Seoul shares open nearly flat despite US gains
• ·S. Korea secures 5th consecutive term on UNESCO executive board