Kwon Young-se proposes official talks with North Korea on separated families issue... "Fundamental measures must be established" (Comprehensive)

First Proposal on Separated Families Issue Under Yoon Administration
"400 Separated Family Members Die Monthly... Must Resolve Before the Term 'Separated Families' Disappears"
Seeking Fundamental Solutions Like Regular Meetings, Not One-Time Events
Government Actively Considers North Korea's Preferences on Date, Location, Agenda, and Format of Talks

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 8th, Unification Minister Kwon Young-se officially proposed to North Korea a meeting between South and North Korean authorities for the fundamental resolution of the separated families issue. This is the first time since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration that the government has proposed an intergovernmental meeting to resolve the separated families issue.

At 10 a.m. that day, Minister Kwon, at a press briefing room in the Government Seoul Office Building, issued a statement in his capacity as Unification Minister, proposing to the North that responsible authorities from both sides promptly hold talks to resolve the separated families issue.

First, Minister Kwon said, "The national holiday Chuseok is just two days away. This Chuseok, many separated families will spend a lonely holiday longing for their families and hometowns," adding, "As the Unification Minister, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility."

He continued, "Seventy years have passed without knowing even the life or death of parents and siblings. Time is running out. About 400 separated family members pass away every month," and "The remaining 40,000 or so are elderly in their 80s and 90s," urging, "The South and North authorities must honestly face this painful reality."

According to government statistics, as of last month since 1988, the number of surviving separated family members in South Korea was 43,746, a significant decrease from 47,577 in 2021. By age group, most are elderly: 12,856 aged 90 or older, 16,179 in their 80s, and 8,229 in their 70s.

He emphasized, "We must resolve the issue before the very word 'separated families' disappears," and "We must immediately utilize all possible methods to prepare swift and fundamental measures."

The fundamental measures refer to seeking in-depth methods such as frequent reunions and letter exchanges, rather than one-time reunions of 100 people. Regarding this, Minister Kwon said, "I hope that the separated families reunions will be continuous and regular rather than one-time events."

Minister Kwon also said, "I hope that responsible authorities from the South and North can meet directly as soon as possible to candidly discuss humanitarian issues including the separated families problem."

He added, "The government will approach talks with North Korea with an open mind," and "We will actively consider North Korea's wishes regarding the date, location, agenda, and format of the talks."

He further stated, "We strongly urge the North Korean authorities to promptly respond to our proposal," and "We ask the public to support the government's efforts."

He reiterated, "The government will approach talks with North Korea with an open mind," and "We will actively consider North Korea's wishes regarding the date, location, agenda, and format of the talks."

Minister Kwon added, "We strongly urge the North Korean authorities to promptly respond to our proposal," and "We ask the public to support the government's efforts."

Minister Kwon said, "The separated families issue is even more urgent because it is Chuseok," and "I do not think there is a premise or a sequence of precedence in inter-Korean relations; I believe that through the separated families proposal, other inter-Korean issues can also be resolved."

He repeatedly urged North Korea to respond and stated that even if North Korea ignores or criticizes this proposal, "We will continue to make proposals."

When asked by a reporter whether the government is considering support such as rice aid to North Korea, as in past cases for separated families reunions, he said, "We are not considering any special incentives for such humanitarian issues," and "The separated families issue is a humanitarian matter, so I believe North Korea must respond."

However, the government’s position is that if North Korea makes requests for other humanitarian issues as a result of dialogue, it is willing to consider them positively. Minister Kwon said, "Our government's basic stance is that we are always ready to support and cooperate on humanitarian matters regardless of political or military situations."

Minister Kwon also revealed that the government is attempting to send a notification to Ri Son-gwon, head of the United Front Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, under Minister Kwon’s name on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.