Seoul and Pyongyang agree on program for family reunification
The first round of meetings scheduled from September 26 to October 1 in a mountain resort on North Korean coast. The agreement reached after three days of talks between the two delegations. Analysts consider the recent détente a move by north to get more aid and funding.
Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Pyongyang and Seoul have agreed to resume reunions of families divided by the 1950-53 war. The North and South Korean delegations announced the deal, in a joint statement issued at the end of three days of talks in the resort of Mount Kumgang, on the east coast of North Korea.
The first round of meetings between North and South Korean families - interrupted for almost two years, due to the progressive deterioration in relations - is scheduled from September 26 to the first next October, just before the traditional festival of Chuseok (the harvest festival , ed). As in previous years, the picturesque mountain scenery on the east coast of North Korea will be the backdrop to the meetings.
"The South and the North - reads the press release - will continue to cooperate on the issue of families separated by war and other humanitarian issues, under the auspices of the Red Cross." The discussions of these past days, the first after 21 months of stalemate and rising tensions between the two countries, were supported by the humanitarian organisation.
Pyongyang had suspended the program of family reunification in response to the hard line pursued by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who has always conditioned economic aid and cooperation programs to the interruption of the North Korean nuclear program. Today's agreement represents an important sign of detente between the two countries, following the normalization of transit at the borders, the recovery of the only direct line of communication by telephone and the resumption of service of the "Peace Train", decided in recent days.
The two Koreas are still formally at war, since a peace agreement at the end of the conflict in the 50s was never signed. Tens of thousands of families have been separated by war and only a small number have been able to meet for brief periods, but the list of people waiting to embrace their loved ones across the border is still long.
Launched by the Red Cross in late 2000, the program of reunification of Korean families is the result of the first, historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who died on 18 August . The death of KD - as he was affectionately called - has further accelerated the resumption of talks between the two Koreas. At the funeral, Pyongyang sent a high level delegation to the South, which in the three-day stay met - for the first time since his election - current South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.
Analysts consider the recent opening a move by the north to get more support and funding. Sanctions imposed by the international community, exacerbated in recent months following the launch of long-range missiles and underground nuclear experiment, have impoverished the country, which is searching for new capital and economic development projects.
.png)
See also
Tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang rise as Cold War fears cast a shadow over Korea
12/02/2016 15:14
12/02/2016 15:14
Catholic hospital opens in North Korea
23/08/2005
23/08/2005
