North Korea agrees to South Korea’s proposal to resume family reunions

North Korea has agreed to South Korea’s proposal to resume reunions of families separated since the 1950-1953 war, official media in Pyongyang say.

The reunion meetings would take place in the Chuseok holiday on September 19.

South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye called last week for the resumption of the reunions, last held in 2010.

Her appeal followed an agreement to reopen a joint industrial plant, the latest step in the easing of tension between the two countries.

The latest statement on the reunions came from North Korea’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea.

It said: “The reunion of separated families and their relatives shall be made in Mt Kumgang resort on the occasion of the upcoming Harvest Moon Day.”

Talks will take place on August 23 at Mt Kumgang to prepare for the reunions.

The statement also called for the resumption of tourist trips to Mt Kumgang.

It said: “The Kaesong Industrial Zone and the tours to Mt Kumgang resort are valuable works common to the nation which should not be delayed as they are symbols of reconciliation, unity, reunification and prosperity.”

The Kaesong Industrial Complex is home to 123 South Korean factories which employ more than 50,000 North Korean workers. The inter-Korean joint project is a key source of revenue for Pyongyang.

North Korea withdrew its workers in April, angered by the expansion of UN sanctions after its 12 February nuclear test and annual US-South Korea military drills.

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