War-stranded S, N Koreans unify with families

Seoul, Oct 30: Despite tensions after an exchange of fire, a convoy of buses carrying 435 South Koreans crossed into North Korea on Saturday, Oct 30 for a reunion with relatives after six decades of separation by Korean war.

According to South Korea's Red Cross, the delegates were mostly in their 80s and would meet their loved ones in the North Korean resort of Diamond Mountain for three days before returning home.

Further reports said the first reunions came a day after North Korea fired two rounds at a South Korean guard post in the Demilitarized Zone and South Korean troops immediately fired back.

Sources said there will be another batch of 96 South Koreans uniting with 207 North Koreans from Nov 3 to 5 at the same place.

The one-off reunions come despite icy inter-Korean ties in the aftermath of the North's alleged attack of a South Korean warship, for which the North angrily denies responsibility.

OneIndia News