North and South Korea have agreed to hold separated family reunions from February 20th-25th at the Mt. Geumgang tourist resort complex in North Korea’s Gangwon Province, it was announced today. If successful, the reunions will mark the first time in more than three years that families separated during and after the Korean War have been permitted to meet.
Following working-level talks between Red Cross delegations today, it was declared that those applicants granted permission to take part in the postponed reunions of last September will meet their family members at the end of the month. Around 100 family members from each side are expected to attend.
Visitor will stay at the Mt. Geumgang and Waegeumgang hotels for the five day period. Similar to previous events, an inspection team will make on-site facility checks and an advance party from the South will be granted access to the site five days prior to the scheduled start date.
Today’s working-level talks provided a window of opportunity for the two sides to make mention of outstanding humanitarian issues, including the fate of South Koreans kidnapped by the North Korean regime and a long-term solution to ease the suffering of separated families.
It was agreed that the two would continue to work together in future via the establishment of working-level contact between North Korea’s Chosun Red Cross Society and the Korea National Red Cross.
Head of the North Korean delegation Pak Yong Il said of today’s meeting, “It is the start of spring but the winter weather remains. A warm spring breeze of improved North-South relations is blowing, and the Red Cross groups must lead the way.”
South Korean delegation head Lee Duk Haeng added, “We convey this joyful news to those families who have been waiting for the reunions. Let’s work together to realize this opportunity to cooperate, and to build mutual trust between North and South.”
