The South Korean government will provide $1 million in humanitarian assistance for the Syrian opposition, joining a series of international efforts to help end the bloody crackdown by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, government officials said.

“The Syrian government has been using military force against protesters over a number of months, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the country by leaving some 9,000 people dead and 40,000 seeking asylum abroad,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“In view of the circumstances, the international community, including the U.N., has announced its plan to offer humanitarian aid to help resolve the situation and requested a united response from the international community.”

The announcement came at the second meeting of the Friends of Syria Group, held in Turkey on Sunday for discussion of ways to resolve the crisis in Syria.

The ministry said Korea would provide emergency humanitarian assistance first through the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is undertaking relief activities in Syria, and then through other international organizations, when necessary.

Korea’s $1 million in support will be added to the U.S. support of $12 million, Germany’s $7.5 million and Kuwait’s $7 million.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)