South, North Korea families reunite decades after war

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (UPI) — South and North Korean families who were separated during the Korean War have reunited after more than six decades.

The reunions began on Monday at North Korea’s scenic Mount Kumgang resort between 89 South Koreans and their family members from the North, according to South Korea’s unification ministry.

The South Korean families were selected by computer lottery from some 500 candidates to attend the reunion. More than 131,000 people are registered as separated family members in South Korea, according to the government.

Families will spend three days together — Monday to Wednesday — in the first round of reunions. The event, taking place for the first time since 2015, is part of a pledge by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their summit in April.

Families will attend a total of six reunions, including a group reunion and a welcoming dinner hosted by the North on Monday, followed by an individual reunion and lunch on Tuesday and a farewell lunch on Wednesday.

Only seven families are reuniting with their immediate family members, like parents and children. Others are meeting close relatives, as their immediate family members have died of old age, according to Yonhap.

Half of the South Korean attendees are between 80 and 89 years old and 38 percent are more than 90 years old.

The oldest attendee is a 101-year-old man from the South, who is meeting his North Korean daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Yonhap reported.

The second round will run from Friday to Sunday, with 83 North Koreans expecting to reunite with their family members from the South.

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