(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, June 22 (KUNA) -- South and North Koreas agreed Friday to hold reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War from Aug. 20-26 in the latest reconciliatory move between the two countries, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.
The reunions will be held at the Mt. Kumgang resort on the North's scenic east coast, involving 100 families from each side, the report said. The agreement was made during an inter-Korean Red Cross meeting held at a hotel on Mt. Kumgang to arrange the family reunion event and discuss other humanitarian issues as agreed upon by their leaders during their historic summit in April.
Park Kyung-seo, head of the Korean Red Cross, led South Korea's four-member delegation. The North's three-member delegation was headed by Pak Yong-il, vice chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country.
"We agreed to cooperate in tackling the root problem related to the separated family issue based on humanitarian principles," Park was quoted as telling reporters after wrapping up their meeting.
The upcoming reunion event marks the first of its kind since October 2015. It is the latest in a series of reconciliatory steps that the two Koreans have taken in recent months amid a thaw in their relations following the summit talks between their leaders in April and May.
The issue has emerged as one of the most urgent humanitarian challenges confronting the two Koreas as members of such separate families are in their 70s and older. According to data, the registered number of South Koreans seeking to meet their loved ones in the North totaled 132,124 as of the end of May, of which only about 57,000 remain alive. (end) mk.mt
MENAFN2306201800710000ID1097059312
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.