Families of South Koreans abducted by North Korea held a protest on Monday... denouncing their government's decision to send rice aid to the North without having their loved ones returned.

More than 200 protesters gathered in downtown Seoul at a rally where they chanted anti-North Korea slogans and urged the North to release their kidnapped family members.

Earlier in the day, the South's Red Cross announced that it will send 5,000 tons of rice and 10,000 tons of cement to help North Korea, which is suffering from the aftermath of intense flooding.

The protesters denounced the government for making the decision without negotiating the release of the abductees in return for the aid.

[Choi Sung-ryong, President, Abductees Family Group]:
"Regarding today's announcement to send the rice aid, we insist not to send it unless the abductees' problem is solved. If the government sends the rice, we will strongly protest against it. The situation got worse than ever! The government should keep its promise."

Last week, North Korea asked the South for rice aid and construction equipment following severe flooding this year, a sign of easing tensions on the peninsula.