Government Provides 610 Million KRW Support for 'South-North Separated Families DNA Testing Project'

The government will provide 610 million won in support for this year's 'South-North Separated Families DNA Testing Project.'

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 28th that through the 338th South-North Exchange and Cooperation Promotion Council, held in writing from the 21st to the 27th, three agenda items including the South-North Cooperation Fund support plan were reviewed and approved.

The government has been promoting the DNA testing project since 2014 in accordance with relevant laws to verify family relationships of separated families between the South and North. A total of 29,319 people have participated up to last year.

This year, priority will be given to selecting separated families who expressed willingness to participate in the tests during the 4th separated families survey, with a focus on encouraging participation from the 2nd and 3rd generations of separated families as well as overseas separated families. The Ministry of Unification stated, "We will actively identify and support those who wish to undergo DNA testing, including various types of separated families such as North Korean defectors and families of abductees."

Meanwhile, the 2024 South-North Cooperation Fund settlement report and the 2025 revised guidelines for the management of the South-North Cooperation Fund assets were also reviewed and approved.