President orders swift resolution of separated families issue

In relation to the divided families issue, President Kim ordered his cabinet to focus on expeditiously establishing the exchange of correspondence between North and South Korean relatives, confirming whether separated family members are alive and the set up of a permanent reunion facility.

At a cabinet meeting held at the Central Government Complex in Sejong-ro, the President remarked that the despite the recent separated family exchange visits of 200 individuals, considering there are more than 10 million divided family members and 70,000 reunion applicants, the current reunion method was not sufficient.

He added that all matters should be handled appropriately, as haste and anxiety may adversely affect relations between the two Koreas. Taking the recent successful reunion as a starting point, efforts should be made to carefully approach matters relating to the North-South issue, he added.

Concerning Pyongyang`s request for the discontinuation of the Ulchi Focus Lens exercise, he stressed that the drill is implemented for peaceful purposes and that strong national defense is a necessity. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the recent progress made towards North-South reconciliation should not be adversely affected.

Choi Young-Mook ymook@donga.com