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North Korea agrees talks with South over reunion for families split by war North Korea agrees talks with South over reunion for families split by war
(7 months later)
North Korea agreed on Monday to hold talks with South Korea on North Korea agreed on Monday to hold talks with South Korea on organising a rare reunion event for families separated by the 1950s war between the two countries, Seoul's unification ministry said.
organising a rare reunion event for families separated by the 1950s war between the two countries, Seoul's unification ministry said. After days of silence following an initial proposal from Seoul last week, Pyongyang said it would be willing to participate in a meeting on Wednesday or Thursday at the border truce village of Panmunjom.
After days of silence following an initial proposal from Seoul "We welcome that the North has finally come forward to discuss the reunion," ministry spokesman Kim Eui-Do told reporters.
last week, Pyongyang said it would be willing to participate in a "Given the urgency of the matter, we will make preparations to hold the reunion as soon as possible," Kim said, adding the ministry would notify Pyongyang which day it preferred for the meeting.
meeting on Wednesday or Thursday at the border truce village of
Panmunjom.
"We welcome that the North has finally come forward to discuss
the reunion," ministry spokesman Kim Eui-Do told reporters.
"Given the urgency of the matter, we will make preparations to
hold the reunion as soon as possible," Kim said, adding the ministry
would notify Pyongyang which day it preferred for the meeting.
Millions of Korean families were left separated by the conflict that sealed the peninsula's division.Millions of Korean families were left separated by the conflict that sealed the peninsula's division.
Most family members have since died without ever meeting or Most family members have since died without ever meeting or talking to their relatives. Cross-border visits, along with postal and phone communications, are banned for ordinary citizens.
talking to their relatives. Cross-border visits, along with postal and
phone communications, are banned for ordinary citizens.
About 71,000 people – more than half aged over 80 – are on the South's waiting list for a reunion opportunity.About 71,000 people – more than half aged over 80 – are on the South's waiting list for a reunion opportunity.
Last week, South Korea proposed holding the event on February 17-21 at the North's Mount Kumgang resort.Last week, South Korea proposed holding the event on February 17-21 at the North's Mount Kumgang resort.
Around 100 people from each side would take part and, if it goes ahead, it would be the first such reunion since 2010.Around 100 people from each side would take part and, if it goes ahead, it would be the first such reunion since 2010.
Seoul had also called for talks to hammer Seoul had also called for talks to hammer out the logistical details, and some officials expressed frustration over the Lunar New Year weekend that the North was taking so long to respond.
out the logistical details, and some officials expressed frustration A reunion was planned for last September but Pyongyang cancelled at the last minute. There are concerns it may do the same this time around, due to planned joint South Korea-US military drills likely to begin late this month.
over the Lunar New Year weekend that the North was taking so long to
respond.
A reunion was planned for last September but Pyongyang cancelled
at the last minute. There are concerns it may do the same this time
around, due to planned joint South Korea-US military drills likely to
begin late this month.
The drills by the two allies are held every year but are routinely condemned by the North as a rehearsal for invasion.The drills by the two allies are held every year but are routinely condemned by the North as a rehearsal for invasion.