The United States announced Friday that it will send 500,000 tons of food aid to North Korea, beginning in June.

The United States and North Korea have reached an understanding "on the parameters of a program for the resumption of U.S. food assistance for the North Korean people," the United States Agency for International Development said in a statement.

"The two sides have agreed on terms for a substantial improvement in monitoring and access in order to allow for confirmation of receipt by the intended recipients," the statement said.

The White House said Tuesday that it was considering providing food aid to North Korea.

"We have had some useful discussions concerning the parameters of a program for the resumption of U.S. food assistance for the North Korean people. North Korea has been open in saying that it faces a major shortfall in food supplies," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

A U.S. food aid delegation visited North Korea last week and held talks with the North Korean side on humanitarian food aid, and there have been reports claiming that the United States will provide 500,000 tons of food aid to North Korea.

North Korea was facing food shortages due to last year's floods. A delegation from the World Food Program reportedly will be in Pyongyang soon to discuss food aid to North Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)