SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea agreed today to accept medicine from South Korea to fight an outbreak of swine flu, South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek told reporters.

The move came two days after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak offered unconditional aid to North Korea to help contain the virus — the government's first offer of humanitarian aid since Lee took office in 2008 with a hard-line policy toward the North.

The aid offer indicates a desire by the Koreas for better relations despite a naval clash near their disputed western sea border last month.

North Korean state media reported Wednesday that there were nine confirmed swine flu cases in the country.