Separated Families Might Have to Wait

Even though the issue of the families separated by the Korean War was the subject of the third agreement in the landmark accord, it remains for Koreans the issue of primary importance.

The two Koreas have decided to allow exchanges between separated family members and relatives on both sides of the peninsula around Independence Day on August 15.

It has been 15 years since a contingent of South Koreans was allowed to make hometown visits in North Korea, when in September 1985 simultaneous exchanges of separated family members and performance troupes took place.

The two parties at the summit also agreed to tackle humanitarian issues with such measures as the release of long-term pro-North Koreans now imprisoned in the South - in many cases, on charges of espionage or as remaining prisoners of the Korean War. According to a survey carried out by a private organization, about 50 of these prisoners express a desire to return to the North.

President Kim Dae-jung presented the problem of the separated families as the most important agenda item in the summit talks, which North Korean leader Kim Jong-il gracefully accepted. Prior to the summit, Chairman Kim demonstrated his sympathy with the victims of the peninsular division, saying, "I witnessed the scenes on South Korean TV on June 13, when tears rolled down the faces of people who had lost their hometowns and North Korean defectors."

It is known also that Chairman Kim referred to the problem of long-term pro-North Korea prisoners in the summit talks. The repatriation to the North of long-term pro-North Korea prisoners may be used as leverage to achieve the resolution of the problem of separated families.

In fact, North Korea has from the early 1990s permitted the limited unofficial reunion of separated families in a third country. This has allowed the North to exercise tight control over the exchanges, which take place away from the peninsula, leaving it the freedom to commence or cease reunions at will. Pyongyang may fear that if official reunions of separated families are agreed upon, the rush of movement on the peninsula may threaten the stability of the regime in the North.

Therefore, consideration of the South Korean proposal to establish a regular itinerary for family reunions has been postponed until a later date.

"The discussion of these more detailed proposals, such as the regular reunion of separated families at a designated spot in (the truce village of) Panmunjom or Mount Kumgang, will be scheduled for a future date," explained an official after the accord was announced.

Later the official stated that, "Over the long term, we plan to associate the agreement surrounding the fate of long-term pro-North Korea prisoners to the repatriation of those kidnapped by North Korea."

However, the government could encounter resistance from the more conservative sectors in South Korea if it does attempt the repatriation of long-term pro-North Korea prisoners.

Chong Wa Dae spokesman Park Joon-young was reticent when questioned about plans for persons kidnapped by North Korea and prisoners taken during the 1950-53 Korean War.

by Choi Sang-yon