Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung urged North Korea to consider humanitarian exchanges for families separated by the Korean War, amid a lack of progress in inter-Korean relations. Lee, who has sought to mend ties since taking office in June, emphasized the need for separated families to confirm the fate of their relatives and exchange letters, despite ongoing tensions with North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee has been extending an olive branch to North Korea, but relations remain strained as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has dismissed dialogue with South Korea. During a meeting with elderly war refugees, Lee expressed that political leaders on both sides have a responsibility to facilitate communication for separated families. The Korean War, which ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, left the two countries technically at war, with no direct means of communication between their citizens.
Lee’s comments coincided with the start of the Chuseok holiday, a time traditionally associated with family reunions. His appeal came shortly after Kim Jong-un reiterated his antagonistic stance towards South Korea, while recalling his positive interactions with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim has defined the relationship between the Koreas as that of two hostile states, rejecting any efforts for reconciliation or unification.
Despite the challenges, Lee conveyed a desire for families to eventually reunite and live together, acknowledging the improbability of immediate progress due to the current hostility. He expressed regret over the political shortcomings that have prolonged the separation and committed to working towards a future where families can meet again.
Since the historic 2000 summit between their leaders, the Koreas have conducted 21 rounds of family reunions, reuniting over 20,000 family members separated by the war. These reunions often coincide with significant holidays like Chuseok. However, the last temporary reunions took place in 2018, and South Korea’s 2022 proposal for talks on family reunions remains unanswered by the North.
The issue of family reunions is urgent, as many separated family members are in their twilight years and hope to reunite with their relatives before it’s too late. Meanwhile, President Lee plans to utilize the weeklong Chuseok holiday to rest and prepare for upcoming events, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju. He is also set to appear on a TV cooking show to promote Korean cuisine.