Giant helium balloons have been sented to promote peace in North Korea this winter.

And the launchers are seeking volunteers to help send off more of the balloons to carry socks to people in North Korea in future.

The new North Korea Peace organization held its third official balloon launch on Dec. 24 near the DMZ in spite of initial doubts following the death of Kim Jong-il.

The group decided to launch about 800 pairs of socks using four giant balloons to benefit people in the North after checking with police about the safety of holding the event.

NKP member Kat Bokyung Park said about 50 volunteers attending made it the biggest event yet for the new group.

“Even though it was quite windy and freezing cold, everyone had smiles on their faces because we all felt that it was such a magical experience,” she said.

“How lucky and blessed are we to be living in the only country in the entire world where we can safely do this.”

The group has taken up the practice of sending the socks from South Korea to the North to help people there keep warm in the winter. The work has previously been carried out by religious organizations here.

Park said members aim to continue launching socks to North Korea on the every last Saturday of each month.

She invited more volunteers to come and participate in future launches, or for people to make donations through the website www.northkoreapeace.org. More information can also be found at www.facebook.com/NorthKoreaPeace.

(kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)