The representatives of the two governments are committed to finalising technical details to resume meetings between families separated by the Korean War. The North is in desperate need of foreign currency and seems willing to give in to all of the South’s demands. Hopes for resumption of tours to Mount Kumgang.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - Talks between the two Koreas to restart meetings between families separated since the 1953 armistice resumed this morning in the border village of Panmunjom. The "family reunification" were halted in October  2010 and represent an important step for both Seoul and Pyongyang. Meanwhile, the government of the South has expresses willingness to resume tourist trips to the North.

An estimated 73 thousand South Koreans want to embrace their family members who stayed behind in the North. Of those who survived the war, 9.3% are over 90 years of age, 40.5% are over 80 and 30.6% over 70. In her speech on August 15 marking Korean Liberation Day (from Japan), South Korean President  Park Geun-hye pointed out that it would be "inhuman" not to allow these people to "say goodbye for the last time" to their families. The reunification could start as soon as September 19 on the occasion of Chuseok, the Korean "Thanksgiving".

Direct dialogue between the two neighboring countries is the latest sign of improvement in relations on the peninsula after about six months of escalating tension. Thanks to the direct mediation of the International Red Cross, Pyongyang has accepted some key points imposed by Seoul: among them the possibility that family members can exchange money, there are no cameras or security agents during interviews, personal meetings can last longer than in the past.

The first point is now a necessity for the North. The economic crisis derived from Pyongyang's absurd militaristic policy has completely dried up the already depleted state coffers, and the regime led by the "Young Marshal" Kim Jong-un needs all the foreign currency on which he can get its hands. Remittances from family members abroad allow the government to impose high taxation and direct access to foreign funds.

In the same vein, the government of the North is seeking an agreement to also restart South Korean tours of Mount Geumgang (or Kumgang). The mountain is considered sacred by all Koreans and has for centuries been one of the favorite destinations of the population. Guided tours, staying overnight in hotels owned by Pyongyang, were halted in 2008 after a South Korean tourist was killed by mistake by a soldier of the North. In any case, Seoul has made it clear that the problem "will be discussed later."

 

• korea
• talks
• north
• south
• seoul
• pyongyang
• family
• reunification