N. Korea Proposes Family Reunions with South
North Korea called Friday for the resumption of reunions for families separated since the Korean War, saying the program could help improve cross-border ties.
The North's Red Cross faxed a message to its South Korean counterpart, calling for a family reunion event after the the time of the Lunar New Year on January 31, according to its official Korean Central News Agency.
Pyongyang's Red Cross agency is affiliated with the International Committee of the Red Cross but is under state control.
The North said the reunion program would provide fresh momentum to improving ties following years of high tensions.
In an unusually quick response, South Korea welcomed the North's proposal saying it would send its own proposal later for the date and other details on family reunions.
In early January South Korean President Park Geun-Hye had called for a family reunion event to be held around the time of the Lunar New Year. But the North rejected the offer, citing planned South-U.S. military exercises as a major barrier.
The North's latest offer follows a recent series of trust-building gestures.
Source: Agence France Presse
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