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Korea family talks set to resume Korea family talks set to resume
(about 2 hours later)
Officials from South Korea are on their way to the North for talks that could allow divided families to meet again. Red Cross officials from South Korea have crossed into the North for talks which could allow families divided by the border to begin meeting 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. The reunions have been suspended for almost two years, because of the worsening ties between the two nations.
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. This new round of negotiations reflects a recent improvement in relations between the two sides.
The talks are organised by the Red Cross and could last three days. If the three-day talks are successful, family meetings could resume as early as October.
"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 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 inter-Korean conflict.
Limited numbersLimited 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. The talks are being held in the North Korean resort of Mount Kumgang.
In other signs of easing tension, last week North officials attended the funeral of South Korea's ex-President Kim Dae-jung. "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.
Earlier, US ex-President Bill Clinton had talks in the North to secure the release of two American journalists. Thousands of families were separated by the 1950-53 war
North Korea also announced this month it will ease restrictions on cross-border traffic imposed last year amid the rising tension. 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 the highly emotional but all-too-brief meetings, our correspondent says.
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. Only about 100 families from the 100,000 or so searching for their relatives are 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.
But in recent weeks, tensions have thawed slightly between the two neighbours.
Last week, Northern officials attended the funeral of South Korea's ex-President Kim Dae-jung.
US former President Bill Clinton also had talks in the North, where he secured 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.