This morning, some 83 South Koreans traveled to Sokcho in Gangwon province. They are scheduled to meet with their separated North Korean families from February 20-22. This is an exciting day for them as they have not seen their families: mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers and sister for 61 years or more.
One of the most moving photo I’ve seen today is that of a 91-year old father. He traveled to Hanhwa Condo in Sokcho on a stretcher. He has not seen his children (who must be in their 70s now) for 61 years. Just looking at his photo brings tears to my eyes. If I were him, I wouldn’t be able to survive that long not seeing my child. But this grandfather never lost hope that one day he is going to meet them again.
Three days is such a short time to catch up for the lost 61 years that they have not communicated or seen each other. Last December, a South Korean who registered for this reunion died in his home in Bucheon from a heart attach. He had been anticipating the date when he sees his family. And there are more elderly South Koreans waiting and hoping to be a part of these reunions. The last one happened in November 2011, more than three years ago. I hope there will be more reunions of separated Korean families in the near future…