South Koreans head to North Korea for rare reunion of family members separated by war
About 250 South Koreans are to visit the mountain resort to meet with about 190 North Korean relatives
Hundreds of South Koreans headed to North Korea on Tuesday for temporary reunions with family members most haven't had word of since the turmoil of the Korean War more than 60 years ago.
The reunions, the first since February of last year, are a bitter reminder that the Korean Peninsula is still in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 fighting ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. The Koreas bar ordinary citizens from visiting relatives living on the other side of the border and even from exchanging letters, phone calls and emails without government permission.
About 390 South Koreans, some in wheelchairs, arrived on Tuesday morning at a South Korean immigration office on the world's most heavily fortified border.
“Have a nice trip,” shouted South Korean Red Cross officials wearing yellow vests as the elderly men and women entered the immigration office in the border town of Goseong. South Korean participants said they were taking long johns, medicine, parkas, calligraphy works and cash with them to give to their family members in the North as presents.
They will meet with their children, siblings, spouses and other relatives for three days. About 140 North Koreans were expected to show up, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry.
In a second round, from Saturday until Monday, about 250 South Koreans are to visit the mountain resort to reunite with about 190 North Korean relatives, the Unification Ministry said.
