Family Reunions Due at Mt. Geumgang
2003-02-19
South Koreans who were separated from family members by the 1950-53 Korean War will meet their long-lost kin from the North at the scenic Mt. Geumgang on Thursday.
Five hundred families from the South arrived in Sokcho on Wednesday afternoon and will leave on Thursday for Goseong in North Korea by bus via the temporary overland route across the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
They will meet with 100 North Koreans in the sixth reunion of the separated families, which continues until Saturday.
Another group of 100 South Koreans will make a visit to Mt. Geumgang to be temporarily reunited with their family members from North Korea starting Saturday.
This round of reunions holds special meaning as it marks the first time that South Korean separated families visit the North by traveling through the DMZ. Previously, family members had gone by cruise ship under a tourist program run by Hyundai Asan.
It also comes as tension grows on the Korean peninsula over North Korea's nuclear program.
After arriving Goseong port today, the South Koreans will head for the Onjeong-gak rest area at the foot of the Mt. Geumgang to meet their North Korean relatives from 4:00 p.m., after which they will have dinner together.
They will have individual meetings at the nearby Haegeumgang floating hotel Friday and jointly view an acrobatic performance from 4.00 p.m. at a nearby culture hall constructed by Hyundai.
After a farewell reunion at the rest area from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, the South Koreans will return via the overland route.
Source : www.korea.net
