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The two Koreas have opened their first round of reunions for families separated by the
Korean War in more than three years. More than 80 South Koreans arrived in the
North on Thursday. Some meet with relatives they haven't seen
in more than 60 years,... or in some cases never.
Kim Ji-yeon reports on the highly-emotional event that the participants have been waiting
all their lives for. "Thank god you're still alive."
These were the first words from 52-year-old South Korean Park Yang-gon as he embraced
his North Korean elder brother Park Yang-su for the first time in decades.
Park Yang-gon was one of the South Korean individuals chosen to travel to North Korea's
Mount Kumgang resort on Thursday to meet with long-lost family.
They represent the first cross-border reunions in more than three years.
Park's elder brother was taken to North Korea while sailing on a ship in 1972... and for
more than four decades, his family didn't hear a single word from him--until today.
Leading up to Thursday's meeting, Park struggled to put his feelings into words.
"My parents passed away not knowing how their son was doing. My parents couldn't tell anyone
what they were really feeling. The feeling of losing your child like this isn't something
one can fully comprehend."
Park and 81 others from the South are scheduled to meet with separated family members on six
separate occasions over the next three days... for a total of 11 hours... before returning
to South Korea Saturday afternoon. The second round of reunions will begin one
day later and run through Tuesday,... where 88 North Koreans will reunite with around
360 of their estranged relatives from the South.
There are currently tens of thousands of South Koreans on a waiting list to meet one last
time with their loved ones in the North, and hope is dwindling.
Many of those seeking reunions are well into their 80s and 90s, and many more have already
passed away, never getting that final chance to speak to and embrace those they love...
and miss... the most. Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.