Proposition to Reunite Families
A formal proposal has been made by the South Korean President Park Geun-hye to North Korea to hold family reunions regularly so that families that had been separated since the 1950-53 Korean war can be united. This is showing signs that Seoul is seeking to improve their relations with the North.
The reunions had been held roughly annually, however till this February it had not taken place since 2010 due to the tensions created between the two Koreas spiraled after the South said the North sank one of its naval vessels. The latest family reunion had been held on February 20th -25th at Mount Kumgang resort where a total of 813 family members were able to reunite. There have been 19 family reunions since the first in 1985
In a speech marking the March First Independence Movement Day, Park made the proposition stating, “I propose to North Korea to make family reunions regular in order to ease the deep sorrow of the separated families as soon as possible. North Korea too has separated families and I believe it also has to relieve their pain and agony.” He added that “there is not much time left for these elderly Koreans. The event in which separated families reunite should not be special occasion anymore.”
“One people and one reunified Korean peninsula is the completion of the March First spirit and will contribute to the peace of North East Asia and the world.” This year commemorates the 95th year of the declaration of the nation’s independence from Japanese colonization on March 1, 1919
