Divided families hold individual reunions

Fruit and drinks were prepared for the rooms of Pyongyang`s Koryo Hotel Tuesday morning, as the divided families, who met their North Korean family members in groups the previous day, were allowed to meet them individually. After the individual meetings, the families and relatives congregated at the hotel`s restaurant for lunch, continuing their conversations. Hotel officials were tending to the divided families with care, preparing a special birthday cake for Lee Dong-Son, who turned 72 yesterday.

Min Jong-Sook, who had to forego a visit to the North due to health reasons, sent a letter to her youngest daughter, 52-year-old Kyong-Ae, via her husband, Lee Kyong-Jae, 80. ¡°Dear Kyong-Ae, whom I miss very much. I still remember you, how you used to follow me, even as I went to the bathroom. It is to my deepest regret till this day that I did not bring you with me. Forgive me, Kyong-Ae. I repented, praying to Buddha for your happiness. Are you married? Is your husband a good person? I am so curious to know. I really want to see you my daughter, you who have never once left my heart in the past decades,¡± read the letter. To his son-in-law, Lee presented a watch that he brought from the South, finally doing his part in the wedding that he couldn`t attend due to the division of the two Koreas.

Chae Song-Shin, 73, played a tape of family members that couldn`t accompany him on his trip to see his sister, 62-year-old Jong-Ryol. It was a small but generous gesture on his part, allowing his sister to meet other family members -- at least by voice. Jong-Ryol leaned close to the tape recorder, seemingly not wanting to miss one note of the voice of her second eldest brother, whom she has dreamed of meeting for years.

Choi Kyong-Kil, 79, was busy asking about and writing down the names and ages of his 55-year-old son Ui-kwan`s daughter and son.

Kang Song-Dok, 72, delivered a whole load presents, including a gold necklace, gold ring, a watch and fur muffler, to her 75-year-old sister Sun-Dok and shirts and neckties for her nephews. Kang was near tears as she gave her sister her mother`s only remaining item, a knit sweater, and explained how their late mother lived her whole life in guilt for having left only Sun-Dok¡¯s one of nine siblings -- behind during the January 14 retreat of the South Korean army.