Seoul officials want peace park at DMZ

In a meeting to discuss supplemental measures for the reunions of families separated by the division of Korea, officials at the Ministry of Unification and the ruling Millennium Democratic Party have decided to create a peace park at the location where the inter-Korean railway and the demilitarized zone meet.

The proposed peace park will consist of a joint history museum, logistics facility, a family reunion facility and lodging for the use of the park as a place of exchange and meeting. In addition, the peace park will be expanded both in terms of area and function as a longer-term goal, and it will eventually be developed into a peace city.

The meeting also has decided to expand the family reunions and hopes to build a reunion facility as soon as possible, to establish a regular exchange of visitors during the national holidays such as Seol (New Year¡¯s Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and to pursue indirect family reunions using real-time video and audio communication.

In connection with the government`s effort to cut down on the burdens required to stage reunions, the applicants for the reunions will be categorized into three categories for governmental financial aid: non-support, partial support or full support.

"The talks have been ongoing with the Ministry of Unification, and there really isn`t any reason for the North to refuse to accept a measure to build a peace park on their side, as well," Rep. Lee Nak-Yon, administrator of the MDP¡¯s ad hoc committee on inter-Korean reconciliation and exchange promotion, said.

Yoon Young-Chan yyc11@donga.com