South Korean Unification Minister: ”Separated families issue at the forefront...time is not enough”

Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification of South Korea, said this year marking the 80th anniversary of liberation (liberation from colonial rule by Japan), “We will place the issue of separated families at the forefront above all other issues.”
Kim Young made the announcement on the 9th. On the morning of Lunar New Year, she participated in the 41st Hometown Respect Festival held at Manbaedan in Imjingak, Paju, Gyeonggi-do.
In his encouraging speech, Minister Hiro said, "The Ministry of Unification hopes to make this year an opportunity to ease the pain of division and open the way for unification."
Minister Kim Young-ho said, "Families will meet to confirm whether each other is alive or dead and share their news.
"It is a matter of natural morality and a matter of basic human rights," he said, emphasizing that "it is an issue that must be resolved as a top priority between the North and the South, without any political or security considerations."
He continued, "The average age of separated families has now reached 83, and every year, about 3,000 people are separated by a different fate without being able to set foot on the soil of their hometowns."
"There is not enough time now for even this simple and natural thing of people asking about each other's safety," Kim said.
"The North Korean authorities should seek a solution to the issue of separated families before it is too late, in the name of history and the nation," he said.
"We strongly urge the government to take a more responsible stance in deciding the issue of separated families," he said.
"We are exploring various options," he said, adding that the group plans to continue with projects such as investigating the actual conditions of separated families, producing videos and letters, and conducting genetic testing.
Finally, he said, "As the issue of separated families is an issue of universal human values, we will make every effort to draw the attention of the international community and encourage their cooperation."
"I ask everyone to stay in good spirits until the day we set foot on our hometowns again and meet our separated families," he added.
The Unification Respect Society holds a joint memorial service at Imjingak Hall every year on Lunar New Year for the purpose of soothing the pain and resentment of those who lost their hometowns by evacuating from North Korea to South Korea during the Lunar New Year and being unable to return home) and separated families.
This event is held for the 41st time this year.