2 South Koreans discontinue family reunion for health problems

Two elderly South Koreans in their 80s and 90s discontinued participation in the family reunion which is being held in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)' s Mount Kumgang resort due to health problems, Seoul's Unification Ministry said Friday. The 91-year-old Kim Seom-kyung and the 84-year-old Hong Shin-ja will cross the military demarcation line (MDL) at around 1 p.m. local time to return home after the private reunion with their long-lost relatives from the DPRK for two hours through 11 a.m. Friday. The frail South Koreans went northward to the Mount Kumgang resort by ambulances Thursday, the first day of the three-day reunion event. After the mass gathering Thursday afternoon, the medical staff advised them to stop participating in the reunion due to health worsening. The old man and woman met their son, daughter, younger sister and nephew, who they have never seen for over six decades, in ambulances where first-aid kits and equipments are furnished. The 19th round of reunion of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, the first such humanitarian event in more than three years, began Thursday afternoon at the scenic resort of Mount Kumgang on the DPRK's east coast. The 82 elderly South Koreans aged 84 on average, accompanied by 58 family members, went by bus to meet 178 of their DPRK relatives for the first time in six decades. Among the 82 South Korean participants, two went there in ambulances and 19 in wheelchairs due to frailty and uncomfortable movement. Another three-day reunion will be held from Sunday to Tuesday at the same place, with 88 DPRK applicants to reunite with 372 family members from South Korea.