Red Cross envoys discuss reunions
Published: 27 Aug. 2009, 00:48
Red Cross representatives from the two Koreas yesterday exchanged possible dates for family reunions in the fall, with more talks scheduled for the next two days at the Mount Kumgang resort north of the border.
Meeting for the first time in nearly two years, the Red Cross delegations from Seoul and Pyongyang held their first round of talks yesterday. They lasted 35 minutes.
South Korea, represented by its Red Cross Secretary General Kim Young-cheol, suggested that 100 South Koreans travel to Mount Kumgang from Sept. 27 to 29, and 100 North Koreans visit the same place from Oct. 6 to 8.
North Korea, led by its Red Cross Vice Chief Choe Song-ik, proposed Oct. 3 to 5 for South Korean families and Oct. 6 to 8 for North Korean families.
The two sides are scheduled to meet again today and tomorrow to negotiate other details for family reunions, which have not been held for nearly two years.
In his press briefing following the meeting, Kim said he stressed that family reunions were humanitarian matters that must not be affected by any political situations and that the Koreas also needed to work together on issues of South Korean war prisoners held in the North.
The three-day Red Cross meeting came about after the North agreed to the South’s proposal for discussions to resume the reunion programs. Earlier this month, the two Koreas agreed to pursue reunion arrangements following a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun.
At the time, a joint statement targeted the Chuseok holidays, or Korean Thanksgiving, as the possible dates. This year, the Chuseok falls on Oct. 3.
More than 20,000 family members separated during the Korean War (1950-1953) have been reunited, albeit briefly, in over 16 occasions, but not since 2007.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
Meeting for the first time in nearly two years, the Red Cross delegations from Seoul and Pyongyang held their first round of talks yesterday. They lasted 35 minutes.
South Korea, represented by its Red Cross Secretary General Kim Young-cheol, suggested that 100 South Koreans travel to Mount Kumgang from Sept. 27 to 29, and 100 North Koreans visit the same place from Oct. 6 to 8.
North Korea, led by its Red Cross Vice Chief Choe Song-ik, proposed Oct. 3 to 5 for South Korean families and Oct. 6 to 8 for North Korean families.
The two sides are scheduled to meet again today and tomorrow to negotiate other details for family reunions, which have not been held for nearly two years.
In his press briefing following the meeting, Kim said he stressed that family reunions were humanitarian matters that must not be affected by any political situations and that the Koreas also needed to work together on issues of South Korean war prisoners held in the North.
The three-day Red Cross meeting came about after the North agreed to the South’s proposal for discussions to resume the reunion programs. Earlier this month, the two Koreas agreed to pursue reunion arrangements following a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun.
At the time, a joint statement targeted the Chuseok holidays, or Korean Thanksgiving, as the possible dates. This year, the Chuseok falls on Oct. 3.
More than 20,000 family members separated during the Korean War (1950-1953) have been reunited, albeit briefly, in over 16 occasions, but not since 2007.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)