Some Elderly Koreans Uncertain About Separated Family Reunion

After World War II, many Korean families who were North or South of the line that divided the two countries were separated.

The Korean War more than 60 years ago made meeting nearly impossible.

And now some separated families in South Korea say they are not sure they want to take part in next week’s inter-Korean reunions.

The reunion for separated families will take place from August 20 to 26 in the North’s Kumgang mountain resort. The reunion is one of many cooperation and exchange programs meant to aid relations between the two countries. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to the meetings at an inter-Korean summit in April.

Fewer families members remain

This year, fewer than 100 family members from both sides will take part.

Some people are in their 80s and their family members have died.

Baik Seong-yeon is 84 years-old. She learned that her brothers and sisters in North Korea had already died after she was chosen to join the reunion for separated families.

Baik will meet with the spouses 2 of her late brother and sister, and with a niece from the North Korean side of her family. She does not expect an emotional meeting because she does not know them.

“As I have not met them before, I do not have a personal attachment 3, but I think that we are blood-related,” said Baik.

Years of division

Baik was born in Sunchon in the South Pyongan Province in North Korea. She fled to the South to escape the fighting during the war. She left behind her parents and siblings 5.

For the last 70 years, she, along with millions of others families that were separated during the fighting, was not permitted to return or contact her family. Both North and South Korea restrict communication with the other side.

The official family reunions began in the year 2000 when the South Korean government offered ways to aid the North. The offers included economic assistance, in an effort to improve relations.

But the meetings have not been held often because of tensions over the North’s nuclear tests and other actions. These include an incident in which North Korea fired artillery 6 at a South Korean border island in 2010.

So far the program has reunited only a small number of the more than 57,000 South Koreans who are registered to take part. The most recent family reunion was held three years ago.

Losing touch with family members

War survivors 7 like 90-year-old Kang Hwa-ja, are weak and suffering from decreasing mental abilities. She lives with her daughter in Incheon and needs assistance to walk.

Kang’s daughter Kim Yeon-sook said she did not ask to take part in this year’s reunion. She was surprised when she was chosen. When she learned all her close relatives were dead, she was unsure if she should go.

“As they are not her direct brother or sister, there will be an emotional gap,” said Kim, who will go with her mother to meet the son and daughter of Kang's brother.

Kang Hwa-ja, Baik Seong-yeon and other aging survivors have decided 8 to go so they can learn how their relatives lived and died in the North. They say they consider it a chance to say goodbye.

“When we meet, we will talk about what happened in the past. It probably will be the first and the last time,” said Baik.

I’m Susan Shand.

Words in This Story

reunion – n. rejoining two things or people or groups

resort – n. a place for a vacation or holiday

spouse 1 – n. a husband or a wife

niece – n. the daughter of a brother or sister

sibling 4 – n. a brother or sister

gap – n. an unfilled space