(Kyodo) _ A Japanese civic group recently held an exhibition in Pyongyang of about 90 drawings by children in Japan and North Korea as part of its humanitarian campaign for North Korea.

The group, "Korea Kodomo Campaign" led by Yukiko Tsutsui, held the event -- the fifth of its kind -- in the Rungra elementary school.

Drawing-based interchanges have remained uninterrupted, despite strained relations between the two countries due to the abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea as well as to its test-launching of missiles in July.

"It is a small act of seed sowing, but we believe flowers will bloom one day," Tsutsui said.

At the exhibition, Choi Son Ha (phonetic), who is in the third year of the elementary school, spotted a drawing with a message for her. It was drawn by a third-year elementary school student in the Japanese port city of Yokohama, who said she liked Choi"s drawing shown in Tokyo last month.

"We both like drawing and sea, and also share the hobby and grade. I want to meet her someday," Choi said. She promptly wrote a message to the Yokohama student.

The event was joined by Japanese illustrator Seitaro Kuroda, 67, who said he wants to delight children through drawings.

Four elementary school students from Japan, who are of Korean descent, were invited to the event. They drew pictures with Kuroda along with local North Korean children.