An association of South Korean relief groups aiding North Koreans is appealing to the government to resume humanitarian aid to North Korea.

The association demanded in a statement Tuesday that the government allow the organizations to deliver thermal underwear to children in North Korea before the end of the winter.

It said that the government should not use humanitarian aid as a means to pressure the poverty-stricken country.

The association added that the unconditional provision of humanitarian aid is a shortcut to reconciliation and reunification of the two Koreas.

The association recently sought the government’s permission to visit North Korea to check whether relief supplies were being distributed appropriately to North Korean flood victims.

But the Ministry of Unification rejected the request, noting the strained relations between the two Koreas and the collapse of recent inter-Korean working-level military talks.