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South Korea Proposes High-Level Talks on Reunions With North South Korea Proposes High-Level Talks on Reunions With North
(about 7 hours later)
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea on Monday proposed high-level talks with North Korea to discuss holding a new round of reunions of aging Koreans separated by the Korean War six decades ago.SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea on Monday proposed high-level talks with North Korea to discuss holding a new round of reunions of aging Koreans separated by the Korean War six decades ago.
The proposal came on the same day that South Korea pledged to donate $13.3 million to help the World Food Program and the World Health Organization provide nutrients, medicine and other urgent assistance for malnourished babies and nursing mothers in the North.The proposal came on the same day that South Korea pledged to donate $13.3 million to help the World Food Program and the World Health Organization provide nutrients, medicine and other urgent assistance for malnourished babies and nursing mothers in the North.
In a message delivered across the border on Monday, the South’s Unification Ministry suggested that the two governments hold high-level talks on Aug. 19 at Panmunjom, a border village where the armistice ending the Korean War was signed in 1953. In a message delivered across the border on Monday, the South’s Unification Ministry suggested that the two governments hold high-level talks on Aug. 19 at Panmunjom, the border village where the armistice ending the Korean War was signed in 1953.
The two Koreas held their last high-level meeting in February. During that meeting, they put aside several years of high tensions incited by the North’s nuclear tests and armed provocations against the South and reached an agreement that allowed hundreds of people from both sides to meet their long-lost relatives for the first time since the war.The two Koreas held their last high-level meeting in February. During that meeting, they put aside several years of high tensions incited by the North’s nuclear tests and armed provocations against the South and reached an agreement that allowed hundreds of people from both sides to meet their long-lost relatives for the first time since the war.
South Korea hopes to arrange a new round of family reunions around Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving holiday on Sept. 8 that is a traditional time for family gatherings.South Korea hopes to arrange a new round of family reunions around Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving holiday on Sept. 8 that is a traditional time for family gatherings.
There was no immediate response from the North.There was no immediate response from the North.
The reunions in February were the first in three years. Since then, North Korea has escalated its hostility toward the South, calling its president, Park Geun-hye, a prostitute. The country has also conducted unusually frequent tests of missiles and rockets in recent weeks.The reunions in February were the first in three years. Since then, North Korea has escalated its hostility toward the South, calling its president, Park Geun-hye, a prostitute. The country has also conducted unusually frequent tests of missiles and rockets in recent weeks.
But at the same time, North Korea has made overtures for reconciliation. It recently agreed to send a delegation to the Asian Games to be held in the South this fall, as well as reopen an investigation into the fates of Japanese citizens believed to have been kidnapped by the North decades ago. But at the same time, North Korea has made overtures for reconciliation. It recently agreed to send a delegation to the Asian Games to be held in the South this fall and reopened an investigation into the fates of Japanese citizens believed to have been kidnapped by the North decades ago.
Family reunions remain a highly emotional issue for Koreans, and they are considered a key barometer of relations on the divided Korean Peninsula. No telephone, letter or email exchanges are allowed between the citizens of the two Koreas while thousands of people, mostly in their 80s or older, wait for a chance to see their family members before they die.Family reunions remain a highly emotional issue for Koreans, and they are considered a key barometer of relations on the divided Korean Peninsula. No telephone, letter or email exchanges are allowed between the citizens of the two Koreas while thousands of people, mostly in their 80s or older, wait for a chance to see their family members before they die.
North Korea had often stalled earlier talks with a demand that the South cancel annual military exercises with the United States. The two allies are scheduled to begin one such drill this month.North Korea had often stalled earlier talks with a demand that the South cancel annual military exercises with the United States. The two allies are scheduled to begin one such drill this month.
In March, Ms. Park promised humanitarian aid for North Korean children and their mothers if the North cooperated in easing tensions. Nearly 28 percent of North Korean children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, according to United Nations surveys.In March, Ms. Park promised humanitarian aid for North Korean children and their mothers if the North cooperated in easing tensions. Nearly 28 percent of North Korean children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, according to United Nations surveys.