EARLY EDITION 18:00 Separated families part ways after reunion
ARIRANG NEWS 18:00 Title: Separated families part ways after reunion After seeing each other again for the first time in 65 years, it′s good-bye, again. The second round of reunions for war-separated Korean families has come to a close... with participating families returning home after the three day event. For the latest, our Unification Ministry correspondent Song Ji-sun is standing by at the Inter-Korean Dialogue Headquarters in Seoul. Ji-sun, so their time together is over... must have been emotionally, the most intense parting for these families... Daniel, all 90 families from the South are back in Sokcho where they departed three days ago. The two-hour farewell session... was extended by an hour from previous reunions after Pyongyang agreed to Seoul′s proposal... but the twelve hours over the three days could not have been enough for these families separated for decades. Not knowing when,...or if ever... they will be able to see each other again, the families sent off their beloved ones with words of hope. (Korean-subtitle) "We must meet again. I will stay strong and live long, you should be healthy too." (Korean-subtitle) "I′ll see you again on the day the two Koreas reunite." But even on this last day, many North Korean participants managed their words and actions carefully... fully aware of the authorities around them. It makes their Southern families even more sad... families who called for greater channels of exchange between the separated families. (Korean-subtitle) "There′s nothing to cry about. We are well and happy. Dont′ worry at all." (Korean-subtitle) "Let us meet each other freely Let us exchange letters " As these families suffer extensive emotional pain and stress after parting with long lost relatives on the other side of the border, South Korea′s Unification Ministry offers counseling programs upon their return. It is a relief that all reunions were held as scheduled, and that they can return home safe, without too many issues... Now, when can we look forward to the next reunion? The biggest problem is the aging of these families. One-third of the South′s participants were over 90. The oldest participant, at 98, had to rest the whole day on Sunday... while another, a 93-year-old hurt his head after slipping this afternoon. To let them meet their beloved ones as soon as possible... the two Koreas both vowed to expand regular exchanges... and holding reunions on a regular basis, but experts say there are some steps the two countries must first resolve. (Korean) "Pyongyang cooperated actively and the reunion was a successful one. But the two Koreas must hold governmental talks at an early date as possible to expand regular exchanges. The key factor in doing so, is how the two sides approach the matter of resuming tour program at Mount Kumkang." Since the first reunion in 2000... the reunions reduced both in size and frequency after a South Kore
