More Korean family reunions to be held after border talks produce agreement
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Version 0 of 1. North and South Korea have agreed to hold reunions in October of families separated by the Korean war after all-night talks by Red Cross delegates from both countries. One hundred mostly elderly people from each country will be reunited with their relatives on 20-26 October at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea, according to Seoul’s unification ministry and North Korean state media. Related: Kim Jong-un hails accord between two Koreas while purging military officials The deal was struck between officials at the border village of Panmunjom. The Koreas initially agreed to push for the reunions after peace talks in August eased a standoff that had flared after a landmine explosion blamed on Pyongyang maimed two South Korean soldiers. Similar reunions have not happened since early 2014. Planned reunions in 2013 were scrapped at the last minute because of North Korean anger in part over its claims the South was trying to overthrow Pyongyang’s government. Most applicants are in their 70s or older and desperate to see their loved ones before they die. Many Koreans don’t even know whether relatives on the other side of the border are still alive because their governments mostly ban the exchange of letters, phone calls or emails. The two Koreas have remained divided since their 1950-53 war. Some foreign analysts remain sceptical about inter-Korean ties because of speculation that North Korea will fire what it calls a satellite to celebrate the 70th birthday on 10 October of its ruling party. Similar past launches triggered an international standoff as South Korea and other neighbouring countries called them disguised tests for long-range missiles. Such a launch would endanger the reunions. About 22,500 Koreans have participated in brief reunions — 18,800 in person and the others by video — during periods of detente. None got a second chance to meet their relatives, according to South Korea’s Red Cross. South Korean officials have long called for more regular reunions with more poeple taking part. North Korea is seen as worrying that doing so could open the country to influence from more affluent South Korea and threaten the ruling party’s grip on power. |