Japan also set aside a row over abducted Japanese to extend US$100,000 in relief aid.
Australia promised US$182,000 in response to the Red Cross appeal.
South Korean analysts said North Korea had rejected the overland shipments as a matter of pride. South Koreans are 15 times wealthier than Northerners.
Sea shipments take at least twice as long as the 10-hour drive from Seoul to Ryongchon, and bad weather delayed the departure of the first ship of dried noodles and blankets. South Korea's acting president Goh Kun suggested flying the goods in.
Even Seoul media outlets that are staunchly anti-communist urged the government to help the North to save face.
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