Inter-Korean Reunions to Be Held Over Chuseok

Inter-Korean family reunions will be held at Mount Kumgang in North Korea from today to Thursday.

The event will be held in two parts. A group of 97 South Koreans will see their North Korean kin (around 240) today through Monday, and 99 North Koreans will see their South Korean relatives (449) Tuesday through Thursday.

Three South Koreans who were selected to the first group cannot join because of poor health, including stomach cancer and complications from diabetes.

The (South) Korean Red Cross and the Unification Ministry in Seoul said the oldest woman in the first group, Park Yang-shil, 96, could not go to the reunion venue in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, because of a back injury suffered in a fall at home.

Replacing Park as the oldest group member is Jeong Dae-chun, 95. He will be reunited with his youngest son Wan-shik, 68, who is living in North Korea.

zeitung@donga.com