SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK) dropped a plan to give the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) food aid to help flood victims after the DPRK failed to respond to the proposal, the unification ministry in Seoul said Tuesday.

Pyongyang had asked for food, cement and construction material to restore flood damage, but Seoul said early last month it would only send baby food and instant noodles worth 5 billion won ($4.1 million).

While Pyongyang remained silent on the offer for nearly a month, the ROK government is now forced to scrap the plan, the unification ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, said.

The ROK?cut off nearly all exchanges with the northern neighbor after two deadly incidents near the disputed sea border last year. It now allows only minimal levels of humanitarian assistance to Pyongyang.