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Korea family talks set to resume | Korea family talks set to resume |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Officials from South Korea are on their way to the North for talks that could allow divided families to meet again. | Officials from South Korea are on their way to the North for talks that could allow divided families to meet again. |
After a long period of tension, reunions were halted in early 2008. The move reflects a recent improvement in relations between the two countries. | After a long period of tension, reunions were halted in early 2008. The move reflects a recent improvement in relations between the two countries. |
If the meetings go ahead, only a fraction of the thousands of families separated by war 50 years ago, will be allowed to see their relatives briefly. | |
The talks are organised by the Red Cross and could last three days. | The talks are organised by the Red Cross and could last three days. |
"Since it is a meeting being held after a year and nine months, the main topic is the dispersed family issue," chief South Korean delegate Kim Young-chol said. | "Since it is a meeting being held after a year and nine months, the main topic is the dispersed family issue," chief South Korean delegate Kim Young-chol said. |
The talks are being held in the resort of Mount Kumgang on the east coast. | The talks are being held in the resort of Mount Kumgang on the east coast. |
The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says that for hundreds of thousands of Koreans, separated from their relatives by war in the 1950s, time is running out. | The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says that for hundreds of thousands of Koreans, separated from their relatives by war in the 1950s, time is running out. |
The North and South are still technically at war, as a peace treaty was never concluded at the end the war. | The North and South are still technically at war, as a peace treaty was never concluded at the end the war. |
Limited numbers | Limited numbers |
Even if talks are successful, it is likely that only a fraction of those families on the waiting list will be able to see their relatives in highly emotional but all-too-brief meetings, our correspondent adds. | Even if talks are successful, it is likely that only a fraction of those families on the waiting list will be able to see their relatives in highly emotional but all-too-brief meetings, our correspondent adds. |
In other signs of easing tension, last week North officials attended the funeral of South Korea's ex-President Kim Dae-jung. | In other signs of easing tension, last week North officials attended the funeral of South Korea's ex-President Kim Dae-jung. |
Earlier, US ex-President Bill Clinton had talks in the North to secure the release of two American journalists. | Earlier, US ex-President Bill Clinton had talks in the North to secure the release of two American journalists. |
North Korea also announced this month it will ease restrictions on cross-border traffic imposed last year amid the rising tension. | North Korea also announced this month it will ease restrictions on cross-border traffic imposed last year amid the rising tension. |
Reunions could start as early as October, but only about 100 families from the 100,000 or so searching for their relatives were likely to be involved. | Reunions could start as early as October, but only about 100 families from the 100,000 or so searching for their relatives were likely to be involved. |
In the early part of the decade about 16,000 families were briefly reunited. | In the early part of the decade about 16,000 families were briefly reunited. |
The countries regularly held Red Cross talks to discuss family reunions and other humanitarian issues until late 2007. | The countries regularly held Red Cross talks to discuss family reunions and other humanitarian issues until late 2007. |
However, the reunions were stopped after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office in February 2008 amid North Korean anger at his policy of ending unconditional aid handouts. | However, the reunions were stopped after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office in February 2008 amid North Korean anger at his policy of ending unconditional aid handouts. |
He has tied a resumption of aid to progress on North Korean nuclear disarmament. | He has tied a resumption of aid to progress on North Korean nuclear disarmament. |