North Invites South Korean Separated Families to Pyongyang... Ministry of Unification "Received Visit Application" (Comprehensive)

Last November, a 'Pyongyang Invitation' from the North
"Discussion on Separated Families"... If Successful, First Yoon Administration Visit to North Korea
Ministry of Unification "Plans to Review According to Relevant Laws and Regulations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Ryu Jae-bok, chairman of the South-North Separated Families Association, received an invitation from the North and applied for a visit to North Korea, and the Ministry of Unification has begun reviewing it. If approved, it will be the first visit to North Korea under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

According to a compilation of Asia Economy's coverage on the 13th, Chairman Ryu submitted the invitation letter received from the North to the Ministry of Unification on the 7th and submitted the North Korean resident contact report and visit approval application on the 10th.

Goo Byung-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, "A visit application related to separated families was received on the 10th." He added, "Since the North Korean institution that issued the invitation is not currently an institution identified by the Ministry of Unification, we are examining the nature, reliability, and overall aspects of the inviting institution," and "Detailed information is difficult to disclose as it concerns personal information."

Separated families reunited and parting again [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The invitation letter obtained by this paper shows that the North invited three association officials, including Chairman Ryu, Director Maeng Jeong-a, and Director Choi Im-ho, to Pyongyang in November last year. The document states, "To discuss civilian-level South-North separated families-related projects, we invite three members of the South Korean South-North Separated Families Association," and "When the above party visits Pyongyang, their safety and accommodation expenses will be provided."

Chairman Ryu was elected as the 5th chairman of the South-North Separated Families Association in March last year and around the summer of the same year, he inquired with the North about the intention to promote a 'civilian-level separated families reunion project.' The invitation letter is the North's response, and the association claims that the North Korean authorities also have a will to hold separated families reunions.

It is known that this contact was made through a former high-ranking overseas diplomat regarded as a 'North Korea expert.' According to intelligence sources, the sender of the invitation is presumed to be an organization managed by one of the general companies under the United Front Department of North Korea, and intelligence authorities are also reportedly identifying the existence of the organization.

Chairman Ryu explained, "I proposed a plan for the South-North separated families reunion project to the Ministry of Unification in May last year but received no response," and "After much consideration, I decided to apply for the visit as I judged that the reunion could no longer be postponed."

The Ministry of Unification stated that it will review the approval of the visit according to relevant laws and regulations. Regarding the sender of the invitation, it is known that a decision will be made after discussions with related agencies, including intelligence authorities. According to the South-North Exchange and Cooperation Act, when a civilian requests a visit to North Korea, an application form and documents confirming the invitation from North Korean authorities or organizations must be submitted to the Minister of Unification at least one week before the visit.

Meanwhile, since the 15th Kim Dae-jung administration, every government has succeeded in holding at least one separated families reunion during its term. Since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se proposed talks to the North ahead of last year's Chuseok holiday but received no response. Earlier, Minister Kwon mentioned in his first work report in July last year that "Considering the aging of separated families, the five years of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is practically the last chance to resolve the issue."