North Korea and South Korea agreed to resume reunion of war-split families

North Korea and South Korea agreed to resume reunion of war split families after a gap of more than three years.  The reunion will take place on 20-25 February 2014 at Mount Kumgang resort of North Korea.

The reunion programme was started in 2000 following a historic inter-Korean summit. But the programme was suspended in 2010 following the North Korea bombarding shells on a South Korean border island.

The reunion is perceived as a small step towards making harmonious relations between the two hostile neighbors. In fact, the two countries had agreed to hold a reunion in September 2013. However, Pyongyang cancelled the event just four days before its scheduled start citing hostility from the South. Thus, there are widespread concerns about possible cancellation of the reunion again.

Another cause of concern is the Joint military drill between South Korea and United States. North Korea has opposed joint drill and warned South Korea of dire consequences if this drill takes place.

The 1950-53 Korean War led to the separation of the millions of Koreans. Since the war ended without a peace treaty, the two countries are technically at war. Thus, there is a prohibition on direct exchange of telephone calls or letters.