DPRK, ROK finalize list of family reunion participants

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Both Seoul and Pyongyang have agreed on the list of family members to be reunited this month, after being separated for decades by the Korean War, Seoul said on Monday.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) agreed in June to resume the reunions of families after a landmark meeting between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and ROK President Moon Jae-in in April.

181 elderly participants, including 93 from the ROK and 88 from the DPRK will meet their family members during reunions scheduled from August 20 to 26, according to Seoul's unification ministry.

It will be the first reunion in three years.

Millions of people were separated from family members during the conflict that sealed the division of the two sides, which technically remain at war.

Most died without the chance to see or hear from their relatives on the other side of the border, across which all civilian communication is banned.

October 26, 2015: Woman from the ROK cries as she bids farewell through the window to her son from the DPRK after a family reunion at Mount Kumgang. /VCG Photo

Officials from both sides last month exchanged a preliminary list of those hoping to see their family members, before carrying out checks to see whether relatives across the border were still alive.

According to the ministry, about 130,000 ROK individuals were initially registered as members of separated families, but the Korea Red Cross said half have already passed away and 67 percent are aged 80 or older.

In the ROK, hopeful participants are picked at random by a computer which takes into account their age and family background, while the DPRK is believed to give priority to people deemed loyal to the government when making its selection.

(With input from agencies)