Separated families in despair due to N.K.’s sudden cancellation

North Korea unilaterally announced on Sunday that it postpones reunions of separated families, just three days ahead of the event scheduled on Wednesday, giving separated families a nightmare. Candidates in the South who were to meet with their separated families in the North are in despair, while dark clouds are cast over reconciliatory mood in inter-Korean relations that had been recently escalated due to the resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Park.

In its spokesman’s statement on the day, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, the North’s body in charge of inter-Korean ties, said, “We are putting off the reunion of separated families and relatives until a normal atmosphere can be created for the two sides to hold talks and negotiations.” The committee went on to say, “We also declare that we postpone the negotiations on how to resume tours to Mount Kumgang resort, which South Korea is using as measures to slander us and as means of confrontation.” It stopped short of specifying dates for future reunions of separated families and talks over Mount Kumgang tours.

As for the reason it has put off the reunions of separated families, the North raised issue with the South Korean government’s recent attitude and media reports here. “(As for achievements made in North-South Korean relations), (the South) brags as if they are their achievements, calling the achievements ‘results of the Korean Peninsula trust building process’ and ‘North Korea policy with principle.’” The committee said. “This is an extreme case of (the South) exploiting our favor, and constitutes defamation and insult to our goodwill and generosity, which we can hardly tolerate.”

As for the arrest and probe of Rep. Lee Seok-ki of the Unified Progressive Party in the South, the committee claimed “By linking the so-called rebellion collusion with us, South Korea is engaged in ‘witch-hunt’ by labeling all progressive, democratic figures as pro-communist and pro-North Korea,” in ruthlessly blasting the South.

Earlier on Monday last week, both Koreas exchanged the final lists of separated families who will have reunions. The advance delegation from the South visited on Friday Mount Kumgang, the venue for the reunions in the North, and was engaged in final consultations with the North on accommodation for the separated families, before the North abruptly announced on Saturday postponement of the planned event.

“We express regret that the North postponed the reunions of separated families, which is conducted purely on humanitarian grounds, by citing political reasons,” said Kim Ui-do, a spokesman for Seoul’s Unification Ministry.” As for the North’s mentioning of the Lee Seok-ki case, Kim said, “We wonder what the hidden intent of the North is, as it links the case over which investigation is underway in accordance with due legal process against anti-state acts that defy the Constitution of South Korea.”