South Korea is considering sending additional aid worth US$5 million to earthquake-hit Haiti, after it last week sent emergency supplies worth US$1 million and rescue workers to the ruined nation, local media reported Monday.

"Now that we have a better estimation on the scope of the disaster, (the government) will increase short-term emergency aid and start considering joining hands in mid-term and long-term reconstruction efforts," an unnamed foreign ministry official was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.

The foreign ministry has not yet confirmed the media report, saying they are still considering the matter.

The report follows the phone conversation between President Lee Myung-bak and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over the weekend, in which Lee said his country is planning to send additional aid to the disaster-prone Caribbean country.

South Korea last week sent 41 relief workers to Haiti, while a seven-member team of medical professionals also left for the country.

(Xinhua News Agency January 18, 2010)