Leaders from five different religious groups have released a statement urging the resumption of humanitarian aid to North Korea.

The leaders from Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Won Buddhist and the Cheondogyo groups held a news conference on Tuesday and called on the government to fully resume its humanitarian aid to the North.

The more than 650 members of the five religious groups said that while they understood the government’s demand for sincerity by North Korea, saving lives should take precedence, regardless of the political situation.

The Venerable Pomnyun, chairman of the Peace Foundation, said the recent resumption of humanitarian aid by the South Korean government is too limited to make a difference in the North. He urged the South Korean government to allow civilian aid groups to send relief supplies to those in need in North Korea.