The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) has sent an open letter to South Korean president Lee Myung-bak demanding the resumption of humanitarian aid to the North. “We hope discussions and exchanges between the North and South continue. We especially seek non-governmental relief work, including religious ones, to be resumed as soon as possible,” the NCCK told a press conference today. Ignoring the plight of North Koreans will harm future peace efforts on the Korean peninsula and hopes for reunification, the council said. It also warned that if Seoul does not permit food aid to the North, it will lend assistance anyway through international NGOs or by other means. KO13380.1642