Red Cross Talks begin: two Koreas express strong will to resolve humanitarian issues
- 6 years ago
Delegations from the two Koreas are meeting once again today for Red Cross Talks.
Top of the agenda is arranging reunions of separated families,... but other humanitarian issues could be discussed as well.
Let's connect to our Unification Ministry correspondent, Oh Jung-hee,... who's following developments from Seoul's Office for Inter-Korean Dialogue.
Jung-hee, we're hearing the talks began a couple of hours ago.
Hi, Jiyoon.
You're right, the talks began sharp at 10AM, Korea time, as scheduled at North Korea's Mount Kumgang.
And the general meeting actually came to a close already -- at 10:45AM -- just over an hour ago.
And this just in, a separate meeting is now ongoing between two leading delegates of each side.
South Korea has sent a four-member delegation led by the President of the South Korean Red Cross, Park Kyung-seo.
North Korea has a three-member delegation led by Pak Yong-il, the vice chairman of the North's reunification committee.
At the opening of the talks, each delegation expressed their strong will to solve humanitarian issues between the two Koreas -- especially easing the sorrow of families separated by the Korean War.
And it seems the place where they're meeting -- Mount Kumgang, where numerous family reunion events have taken place in the past-- gave them an extra special feeling and a strong sense of responsibility to make sure these talks are a success.
Take a look.
"Even if today's talks are only a day-long,... if we approach them with sincerity, I believe we can discuss a lot of things. We should seize the vital force from Mount Kumgang and resolve the agony of the Korean people."
"As for Mount Kumgang, it's a symbol of national harmony and unity -- it's the only place that has provided healing for our separated people. If we aim to firmly break with our disgraceful past and develop a new mindset, I believe we can have smooth humanitarian cooperation between the North and the South."
So Jung-hee, it seems the atmosphere was pretty cordial at the morning's general session.
What are some of the talking points to be discussed between the two Koreas?
Jiyoon,
Today's talks are to discuss humanitarian issues including the reunions of families separated by the Korean War.
The leaders of Seoul and Pyongyang agreed at their summit talks in April to hold reunions for separated families on August 15th -- National Liberation Day -- so it's highly likely that the two sides will try and rubberstamp the schedules for the reunion event.
If the reunion event is to take place, this will be the first time in three years since the last event in October 2015.
Over 132-thousand people are registered as separated from their family members... but among them, only 56-thousand are still alive... and among those, 85-percent are over 70 years old.
South Korea is likely to suggest that the North allow separated family members to exchange letters and visit their hometowns,... but it's unclear whether Pyongyang wil
Top of the agenda is arranging reunions of separated families,... but other humanitarian issues could be discussed as well.
Let's connect to our Unification Ministry correspondent, Oh Jung-hee,... who's following developments from Seoul's Office for Inter-Korean Dialogue.
Jung-hee, we're hearing the talks began a couple of hours ago.
Hi, Jiyoon.
You're right, the talks began sharp at 10AM, Korea time, as scheduled at North Korea's Mount Kumgang.
And the general meeting actually came to a close already -- at 10:45AM -- just over an hour ago.
And this just in, a separate meeting is now ongoing between two leading delegates of each side.
South Korea has sent a four-member delegation led by the President of the South Korean Red Cross, Park Kyung-seo.
North Korea has a three-member delegation led by Pak Yong-il, the vice chairman of the North's reunification committee.
At the opening of the talks, each delegation expressed their strong will to solve humanitarian issues between the two Koreas -- especially easing the sorrow of families separated by the Korean War.
And it seems the place where they're meeting -- Mount Kumgang, where numerous family reunion events have taken place in the past-- gave them an extra special feeling and a strong sense of responsibility to make sure these talks are a success.
Take a look.
"Even if today's talks are only a day-long,... if we approach them with sincerity, I believe we can discuss a lot of things. We should seize the vital force from Mount Kumgang and resolve the agony of the Korean people."
"As for Mount Kumgang, it's a symbol of national harmony and unity -- it's the only place that has provided healing for our separated people. If we aim to firmly break with our disgraceful past and develop a new mindset, I believe we can have smooth humanitarian cooperation between the North and the South."
So Jung-hee, it seems the atmosphere was pretty cordial at the morning's general session.
What are some of the talking points to be discussed between the two Koreas?
Jiyoon,
Today's talks are to discuss humanitarian issues including the reunions of families separated by the Korean War.
The leaders of Seoul and Pyongyang agreed at their summit talks in April to hold reunions for separated families on August 15th -- National Liberation Day -- so it's highly likely that the two sides will try and rubberstamp the schedules for the reunion event.
If the reunion event is to take place, this will be the first time in three years since the last event in October 2015.
Over 132-thousand people are registered as separated from their family members... but among them, only 56-thousand are still alive... and among those, 85-percent are over 70 years old.
South Korea is likely to suggest that the North allow separated family members to exchange letters and visit their hometowns,... but it's unclear whether Pyongyang wil