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The coalition includes such liberal groups as Americans for Democratic Action, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the American Humanist Association.

"At the earliest practicable date, the United States should propose an unconditional humanitarian aid initiative to improve the health and lives of the people of North Korea, doing so in such form as will ensure that the benefits of the initiative will be provided on a needs basis," according to the 18-point plan announced July 20.

The coalition cannot be accused of taking a "soft" stand on the erratic North Korean regime, but it also represents a break from the administration's approach.

Churches in South Korea—mostly associated with mainline Protestant denominations—are also pressing Bush to change U.S. policy toward North Korea. They, like Graham, want Washington to lift sanctions and move toward stabilizing diplomatic relations.

"It is generally understood (in South Korea) that the sanctions against North Korea since 1950 have been enforced by the USA in its own political interest," the head of South Korea's national Council of Churches told Bush in a July 7 letter.

"Experts indicate that the sanctions against North Korea have been one of the significant causes of the increasing suffering of the North Korean people," Anglican Bishop Kyung Jo Park said in the letter.

Park urged the United States to look toward normalizing relations with North Korea.

"We believe that the (July 5) missile testing by North Korea contributes to the deterioration of relations between North Korea and the U.S., and between North Korea and Japan," Park said.

"Therefore, we strongly assert that true peace in North-East Asia cannot be established without normalizing diplomatic relations between North Korea and the United States, and between North Korea and Japan," the letter said.

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Past Christianity Today articles on North Korea include:

Warren's North Korea Trip Delayed | Stadium event still planned for next year. (July 14, 2006)

North Korea, Land of Opportunity? | Missile tests and a planned trip by Rick Warren have put the spotlight on the country's beleaguered Christians. (July 12, 2006)

Money Talks | Activists hope to change North Korea by punishing China's economy. (May 5, 2006)

Nightmares and Miracles | A good beginning to the long battle for human rights in North Korea. A Christianity Today editorial (Dec. 6, 2004)

A Heartless Homeland | Why More North Koreans than ever are fleeing their country. (Oct. 7, 2004)

The Nightmare of North Korea | One man's story of brutality, courage, love, and freedom. (Oct. 5, 2004)

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August (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50