Korean reunions begin for first time since 2010

The first reunions of North and South Koreans in more than three years began Thursday, as dozens of elderly Koreans embraced in a rush of words and emotion at North Korea's Diamond Mountain Resort.

The event marked a rare detente between the bitter rivals that were once a single country. The reunions will last only a few days before family members part — possibly forever.

South Korean TV showed old women in brightly colored traditional hanbok dresses talking and hugging; families trading photographs of relatives who couldn't attend or had died.

Two men in suits and ties wiped away tears, grasped each other by the necks and pressed their foreheads together as cameras flashed. 

In Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, people heard of the plan on the television news or other state media. 

"I desperately hope for reunification. We are of the same blood and getting these families together will help national reunification," said 63-year-old Jang Hye Sun.

About 80 South Koreans traveled through falling snow with their families to meet children, brothers, sisters, spouses and other relatives. Seoul had said about 180 North Koreans were expected.

The meetings are a vivid reminder that despite 60 years of animosity and threats, the world's most heavily armed border divides a single people.

Millions were separated from loved ones by the bloodshed of the three-year war that ended in 1953, but few have been reunited. During the previous period of inter-Korean rapprochement, about 22,000 Koreans had brief reunions – 18,000 in person and others by video. None had a second chance to reunite.

Thursday's reunions were organized after impoverished North Korea recently began calling for better ties with the South. Outside analysts called it an attempt to win badly needed foreign investment and aid.

The North sent mixed signals, however, by threatening to scrap the reunions in protest of annual military drills between Seoul and Washington set to start Monday.

The reunions take place in two parts – the first on Thursday and then on Saturday. A second group of about 360 South Koreans plans to visit the mountain resort Sunday to meet with 88 elderly North Koreans. Those reunions end Tuesday.

Both governments ban their citizens from visiting each other or even exchanging letters, phone calls and emails.

According to South Korea media pool reports, it was only through the application process that 93-year-old Kang Neung-hwan even realized he had left a son behind when he left North Korea during the war.

Kang Jong Kuk, now 64, was in his mother's womb at the time, and his father had not been aware that she was pregnant. When they met Thursday, the elder Kang could not resist a little gentle teasing.

"You look old," he told his son. "Come give me a hug."

The Associated Press