S. Korean religious leaders call for expanded aid to N. Korea

By Kim Kwang-tae SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Christian, Buddhist and other religious leaders called on the government to expand humanitarian aid to North Korea, an official said Tuesday. The appeal comes as South Korea is preparing to send emergency relief supplies worth 5 billion won (US$4.7 million) to North Korea to help it recover from recent devastating floods. South Korea was one of the major donors to its impoverished northern neighbor for years. But Seoul halted unconditional aid in 2008 and slapped sanctions on the North last year in retaliation for its two deadly attacks on the South that killed 50 South Koreans. Still, South Korea has selectively approved religious and private aid groups to deliver humanitarian and medical assistance to North Korea, with more than 2,000 tons of flour currently being delivered in batches. On Wednesday, a group of seven religious leaders met with Unification Minister Hyun In-taek and proposed that they be allowed to visit North Korea and that South Korea increase aid to the North, the official said. Hyun, who is in charge of inter-Korean affairs, avoided making any direct comments, according to the official.