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Pyongyang, Seoul agree to hold talks to resume meetings between separated families

The parties will hold talks in the resort zone of Mount Kumgang within the Societies of the Red Cross

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS Archive

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS Archive

PYONGYANG, August 18 (Itar-Tass) - The DPRK has agreed with South Korea’s proposal to resume meetings between family members and relatives who were separated by the Korean War (1950-1953), an official of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said.

The parties will hold talks in the resort zone of Mount Kumgang within the Societies of the Red Cross to discuss the issue, the official said.

Pyongyang also proposed to organise a meeting between representatives of both countries in the same area on August 22 to discuss the resumption of tourist trips by South Koreans to Mount Kumgang, ensure their security and guarantee property’s rights, the official said, adding that both parties “should step up their activities in order to reach peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula”.

Since 1997 the North and the South have realised a tourist programme, which has become a symbol of reconciliation. South Korean citizens stopped its trips to the resort area in July 2008 when a North Korean guard shot a South Korean tourist. Seoul demanded Pyongyang make apologises, investigate the incident and step up security measures for tourists. However, North Korea refused. After several attempts to launch the project North Korea expelled the South Korean personnel from Kumgang.

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