North Korea acknowledged the domestic outbreak of the H1N1 flu for the first time yesterday (December 9), saying nine people were found infected with the virus in Sinuiju and Pyongyang.

The announcement came through the Korean Central News Agency, the North Korean state news agency, a day after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak ordered his government to find ways to help the North deal with the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1).

The North's Ministry of Public Health confirmed nine cases in the two cities, the KCNA said.

"The State Emergency Anti-epidemic Committee is keeping closer watch for possible flu cases and is working to improve the medical treatment for patients."

South Korea's Unification Ministry said it would take steps to discuss aid measures with the North's authorities.

"As the president said, the government is preparing to provide humanitarian assistance as soon as possible and without any strings attached," ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said.

"As we are considering sending drugs to treat the flu, we need expert opinion from related agencies such as the Health Ministry. We plan to talk with the North after intragovernmental consultations."

The government plans to fax a message to Pyongyang soon to offer the antiviral drug Tamiflu and request information on the situation.

If accepted by the North, the South's planned medical assistance could provide a momentum for inter-Korean dialogue.

When the avian flu broke out in North Korea in March 2005, Seoul had offered to provide aid by sending a message signed by the chief of the National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service to his North Korean counterpart.

The North accepted the offer, and following working-level talks, the South sent sterilising equipment worth 720 million won (US$619,461) to the North.

The Lee Myung-bak administration stopped unconditional aid to the North after taking office early last year, but has said it was willing to offer limited humanitarian aid if necessary.

The Influenza A pandemic has claimed about 8,700 lives across the globe so far including 3,900 in the United States, 117 in South Korea and about 100 in Japan.

A Seoul-based aid group called Good Friends said on Monday that a "new type of flu" had taken dozens of lives in Sinuiju, which borders China, and Pyongyang.

The group also said winter vacation for North Korean schools started last Friday, a month earlier than usual due to the fast spreading flu.

In May, the World Health Organisation provided an emergency stockpile of Tamiflu to North Korea and other developing countries, but Seoul officials believe it won't be enough.

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