Kim Jong-un Advocates 'Two-State Theory', Dialogue Prospects
Execution Rate of Separated Families Project Budget in Single Digits
99.8% of Video Letters Are 'Unsent Letters'
Although the sounds of war have ceased, there are people who live bearing the wound of "division" that cuts across the Korean Peninsula with their whole bodies. They are separated families who now say they want to know even the faint memories of their family's life or death.
The pain of division that separated families have carried for decades is living proof that directly denies North Korea's "hostile two-state theory," which seeks to become a state on its own. As the survivors of separated families are aging, and the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's term is regarded as the "last chance," there are calls for urgent efforts to resume exchanges.
Even Civilian Exchanges 'Cut Off'... Uncertain Inter-Korean Relations
After completing the reunion event, North Korean separated family members are wiping away tears and saying farewell as they board the bus heading to the North at the Kumgangsan Hotel. /Kumgangsan=Photo by Joint Press Corps
According to data submitted by the Ministry of Unification to Kim Geon, a member of the People Power Party, on the 15th, there has been not a single civilian-level exchange such as reunions, life-or-death confirmations, or letter exchanges among separated families from the beginning of this year until last month. Civilian-level exchanges refer to reunions or life-or-death confirmations arranged directly by separated families with the help of brokers or intermediaries, rather than through negotiations between the North and South Korean authorities. There is a mandatory reporting obligation before and after such exchanges.
The government manages the status of civilian exchanges of separated families on a monthly basis. The last letter exchanges were two cases in February last year. For over a year, no exchanges have taken place at either the government or civilian level. Exchanges at the official level ended in 2018, when inter-Korean separated family reunions were held around Liberation Day.
The decline in separated family exchanges began during the pandemic period. When Chairman Kim Jong-un issued a border closure order, contact itself became difficult. Although the border has reopened, North Korea has maintained an aggressive stance toward the South since the "Hanoi no deal." While the Yoon Suk-yeol administration has adopted a tough North Korea policy that will not tolerate reckless provocations, preventing being swayed by North Korea, the downside is that the path to dialogue has been blocked.
The government has moved to establish a national memorial day to console the pain of separated families. Lawmakers from the ruling party led the bill proposal in the 21st National Assembly, and after bipartisan agreement, the date was set as "the 13th day of the 8th lunar month," two days before Chuseok. Last year marked the first "Separated Families Day" event, and this day is the second "Separated Families Day."
Budget Execution Rate at Rock Bottom... Little Time Left
The government is also making various efforts such as producing video letters and conducting genetic (DNA) tests. The problem lies in the results. While about 1,000 video letters are filmed annually, a total of 26,100 have been produced up to last year. Of these, only 40 pilot exchanges were actually delivered to the North in February 2008. The remaining 99.8% remain as "undelivered letters." While "records" are important, for separated families, this can be a form of false hope.
Poor results are also reflected in budget execution. The execution rates for the separated family exchange support project budget were 4.4% in 2020 (27.092 billion KRW unused), 10.8% in 2021 (18.75 billion KRW), 5.1% in 2022 (19.208 billion KRW), and 5.5% in 2023 (17.034 billion KRW). Each year, the rate fails to exceed 10%, showing a very low trend.
The bigger problem is that the time given to separated families is not abundant. The cumulative number of separated families registered with the government hoping for exchanges or reunions is 134,158, of which only 37,806 (28.2%) were alive as of last month. With 200 to 300 people passing away every month, the number of deceased reaches 96,352 (71.8%).
Among the survivors, the proportion of elderly aged 60 or older approaches 94.4%. Those aged 90 or older number 12,010 (31.8%), and those aged 80 to 89 number 13,120 (34.7%). Even counting only those in their 80s and 90s, they far exceed half. This is the background behind former Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se's remark that "the separated family issue is effectively the last chance for resolution during the five years of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration."
Yoon: "Let's Talk"... North Must Respond to Humanitarian Issues
President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the "Unification Doctrine" plan in his Liberation Day address. He proposed establishing a "dialogue consultative body" between the North and South authorities, expressing willingness to discuss any issues through dialogue. Among the dialogue agenda, the separated family issue is a representative example of "humanitarian issues."
A government official pointed out, "Kim Jong-un divides the North and South as state versus state, but separated families themselves are evidence that the 'two-state theory' cannot be established." He added, "Since President Yoon proposed dialogue through the consultative body in the August 15 Unification Doctrine, it is only natural that North Korea cooperates proactively on humanitarian issues. At least video and letter exchanges should be resumed."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification will hold a commemorative ceremony for Separated Families Day at the KBS Art Hall today. Under the slogan "Together Until the Day We Meet Again," the event focuses on four keywords: memory, consolation, empathy, and companionship. Separated families from the first to third generations will attend a joint memorial service and view exhibitions and performances. There is also a session where a third-generation separated family middle school granddaughter watches and presents a video letter she made for her maternal grandmother.
A Ministry of Unification official said, "We hope this will be an opportunity to remember the pain and longing of families separated by division and to unite hearts," and added, "We will do our best for the prompt resolution of the separated family issue."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
