11.   In recent weeks, however, it has begun distributing emergency rice through the Red Cross.

12.   Last week, it asked Japan to provide emergency rice supplies.

13.   North Korea, acknowledging its food crisis to the outside world for the first time last month, asked longtime foe Japan for emergency rice aid.

14.   North Korea, admitting for the first time that it is facing a food crisis, asked Japan last month for emergency rice supplies.

15.   North Korea, admitting for the first time that it is facing a food crisis, officially asked Japan two weeks ago to provide emergency rice supplies.

16.   President Kim Young-sam said Friday he hopes the gift of emergency rice will open doors to improved ties between the two Koreas.

17.   South Korea was responding to a North Korean request for emergency rice aid which had been conveyed through Japanese officials.

18.   South Korean President Kim Young-sam said Friday he hopes the gift of emergency rice to impoverished North Korea will open doors to improved ties.

19.   The farmers said they have not received emergency rice that the government began distributing last month in remote southern communities.

20.   In Tokyo on Thursday, Japan resumed talks with North Korea on its own emergency rice aid, the morning after they split mainly over terms of payment.