Time running out for reunions

Seoul yesterday proposed talks with Pyongyang to resume reunions for thousands of families divided by the Korean War, saying time was running out for ageing relatives.

Millions of people were swept apart by the 1950-53 Korean War, which separated brothers and sisters, parents and children and husbands and wives.

Hostilities ceased with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, leaving the North and South technically still at war and the peninsula split.

"Today, the South Korean government proposes to hold talks with the North to discuss the issue of separated families," said Unification Minister Kwon Young Se.

"We will approach this dialogue with an open mind, and make sure to take into account the preferences of the North, including the date, venue, agenda and format of the talks in a positive manner."

Time is running out for 40,000 family members in their 80s and 90s, Kwon said, with about 400 people passing away each month.