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Seoul's push to have regular reunions for families separated by the Korean War has now
come in writing. South Korea made a proposal to the North on
this Wednesday, asking for talks over the urgent humanitarian issue.
But as our Kim Ji-yeon reports, the early speculation is that Pyongyang will turn the
offer down. Seoul's unification ministry sent a written proposal to Pyongyang on Wednesday...
suggesting that the two Koreas hold talks on making reunions for families separated
by the Korean War a regular event. Deputy spokesperson Park Su-jin said... the
ministry proposed holding a round of working-level Red Cross talks next Wednesday... on the South
Korean side of Panmunjom ,... which is located on the de facto border between the two Koreas.
The offer follows President Park Geun-hye's call for regular family reunions... during
a speech on March first, where she pointed out that tens of thousands of South Koreans
remain on a waiting list to see their long-lost loved ones in the North.
The last round of reunions two weeks ago,... were the first in more than three years.
Pyongyang has yet to respond to Seoul's proposal. Local media outlets in Seoul say Pyongyang
is likely to reject the offer... and instead make a counter-proposal for working-level
talks,... where other unresolved cross-border issues could be discussed,... such as a resumption
of tours to the North's Mount Kumgang resort and the lifting of economic sanctions on North
Korea. Experts say Pyongyang is likely to respond
to Seoul's proposal after joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington, which end on
Thursday. Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.