Koreans Split by War Reunite

Updated Feb. 20, 2014 7:22 p.m. ET

Elderly Koreans from each side of the border meet for the first–and possibly last–time since 1950s in the first reunion of families since 2010. The WSJ’s Alastair Gale talks about the politics behind these rare meetings.

SOKCHO, South Korea—Elderly Koreans from each side of the peninsula’s heavily armed border wrapped their arms around relatives not seen since the 1950s in the first reunion of families divided by the Korean War in over three years.
At the gathering at the North Korean resort of Mount Kumgang, many were overcome with emotion. Some yelled each other’s names as they met and many broke into tears.
“I thought we’d never see this day,” said Choe Yong Chol, a North Korean reunited with his brother from the South, after an embrace that lasted over a minute.

Tearful Reunions

South Korean Lee Young-sill, right, 87, meets with her North Korean sister Lee Jung Sill, left, 84. European Pressphoto Agency

The meetings, which run through Tuesday, are a tangible evidence of a recent tentative thawing of ties between Pyongyang and Seoul.
Since the first reunion in 1985, the event has taken place during upturns in bilateral relations. But when North Korea shelled a South Korean border island and killed four people in 2010, the meetings were halted.
Plans for the latest round have been on-and-off for months. After North Korea canceled the event in September at the last minute, the two sides began discussing reviving the meetings in late January. Despite reaching an agreement, North Korea again threatened to scrap the event because of military drills in South Korea. Last week, North Korea dropped its objections and the two sides confirmed the plan would go ahead.
The reunions serve as a reminder that the division of the peninsula after 1950-1953 Korean War also separates blood relatives. Thousands have met through the project but over 70,000 people in the South are waiting for their turn, with spaces decided by computerized lottery.
For most, the meetings are not only a chance to reunite but also to bid a final farewell. Relatives are removed from the lottery for future reunions after taking part in the event, and cross-border communications are forbidden by both governments.

South Korean Heo Kyung-ok, right, 86, waves from a bus heading to North Korea’s Mount Kumgang resort to meet her family members, in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Yonhap/European Pressphoto Agency

Most South Koreans brought gifts for their relatives Thursday, though United Nations sanctions on North Korea prevent expensive items. Hand-wound mechanical watches—rather than battery-powered ones—were recommended. Materials that criticize the North’s regime were also banned.
Under the watchful gaze of North Korean minders and media, some relatives appeared to find it difficult to connect freely. North Koreans are thought to receive strict guidance on how to behave and what they can say at these meetings.
“Thanks to the Marshal [ Kim Jong Un ], we can meet again,” said Mr. Choe, a former South Korean fisherman abducted by the North while at sea about 40 years ago. “Both sides should stop engaging in slander and achieve reunification,” said Mr. Choe, echoing North Korea’s recent calls to South Korea. Later he explained to his brother how well his family and neighbors treat him. Soon minders told reporters to move to another table.

South Korean Park Yang-Gon, left, meets with his North Korean brother Park Yang-Soo during a family reunion Feb. 20 in Mount Kumgang, North Korea. The two hadn’t seen each other since the 1970s. Getty Images

The first group of 82 South Korean citizens, as well as some of their accompanying family members, will remain in North Korea until Saturday. Then a new group will travel up for a second stage of the event.
Of those who traveled Thursday, 19 were in wheelchairs and two were taken in ambulances.
Choi Byeong-gwan, 67, traveled to meet a stepbrother and stepsister from North Korea. His father was abducted by the North during the war. The stepbrother handed him a photo of their father’s new family, consisting of seven children and a new wife. As they shared stories about their late father, the three joined in a hug.
“I reckon [Dad] was less lonely with this new family,” said Mr. Choi.
For some, the meeting came too late. Lee Young-sil, 87, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, couldn’t recognize her sister.
“It’s me. Why can’t you hear me?” said her sister, crying. Ms. Lee’s daughter told the aunt she met for the first time that her mother insisted on coming despite ill health.
Write to Jeyup S. Kwaak at jeyup.kwaak@wsj.com

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