Kim Yeon-cheol "Considering Financial Support for Separated Families Visiting North Korea"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] On the 25th, Kim Yeon-cheol, Minister of Unification, met with separated families and stated, "We are also considering a method where the elderly can visit North Korea and the government supports the costs."

Minister Kim said this in an encouragement speech at the '36th Manghyang Memorial Ceremony' held at the Imjingak Mangbaedan in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of Lunar New Year's Day. He added, "More than 75% of the elderly wish to visit their hometowns (in North Korea)."

Minister Kim emphasized, "Meeting separated family members and visiting the beloved hometown is a very natural thing," and "No one can stop it for any reason."

He also stated that extraordinary measures are needed to resolve the separated families issue, saying, "We will mobilize all possible methods, including face-to-face reunions, confirmation of life and death, video reunions, exchanging video letters, and regular reunions through renovation of visitation centers."

On the same day, Minister Kim comforted the pain of separation by offering flowers and incense together with the separated families.

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