South Korean participants meeting families in North Korea gather in Sokcho
- 6 years ago
There are no words to describe what the separated families have gone through for all these decades.
But at least some of them will soon be able to hug their brother, sister,... son or daughter after almost an entire lifetime apart.
Our Oh Jung-hee, who is travelling with the participants, asked some of them how it felt to have the opportunity to see their loved ones one last time.
Take a look.
South Korean participants meeting their families in North Korea from Monday afternoon... gathered in South Korea's northeastern city of Sokcho on Sunday.
Some excited, others calm -- complex feelings that are hard to put into words.
Out of the 89 participants, only a few are lucky enough to meet their immediate families.
They are upbeat, but emotional with questions popping into their minds.
"I just found out that my son's alive. I'm wondering how and by whom he was raised -- he's 71 now. I'm going to ask him, 'how did you live? Who raised you?'"
"I want to ask them where our parents' graves are. And I want to know more about their families, too."
At 101 years old,... Baek Sung-gyu is the oldest participant for this round of reunions.
He's meeting with his daughter-in-law and a granddaughter from the North.
His two brothers and one sister, as well as his son, who were in the North have all died.
Baek says it's apparent this will be the last time he gets to see them.
He's prepared presents to give to his relatives -- ranging from clothes and shoes, to utensils and toiletries.
"Well, I'm just going to tell them... that I wanted to buy a lot more things, but didn't have enough money. You always want to buy and give things to your family. That's how I feel."
Kim Byong-oh will also head to the North for the family reunions.
He says that, ever since he found out he was selected,... he could not sleep nor eat for weeks thinking of finally meeting his younger sister.
"When I first see her,... I'm going to look at her hands to see how much hardship she's been through. I'll be crying a lot and telling her that we should see each other in heaven next time. How else can we meet? // A part of me was glad I got this chance in my lifetime,... but another part of me was scared about how I would have to part with her again. But I think I'm ready."
"The Koreans who've been torn apart for most of their lives are finally meeting on Monday. The next three days to come... will be full of joy and tears for these people,... who're meeting their loved ones for the first time in nearly 70 years. Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News, Sokcho."
But at least some of them will soon be able to hug their brother, sister,... son or daughter after almost an entire lifetime apart.
Our Oh Jung-hee, who is travelling with the participants, asked some of them how it felt to have the opportunity to see their loved ones one last time.
Take a look.
South Korean participants meeting their families in North Korea from Monday afternoon... gathered in South Korea's northeastern city of Sokcho on Sunday.
Some excited, others calm -- complex feelings that are hard to put into words.
Out of the 89 participants, only a few are lucky enough to meet their immediate families.
They are upbeat, but emotional with questions popping into their minds.
"I just found out that my son's alive. I'm wondering how and by whom he was raised -- he's 71 now. I'm going to ask him, 'how did you live? Who raised you?'"
"I want to ask them where our parents' graves are. And I want to know more about their families, too."
At 101 years old,... Baek Sung-gyu is the oldest participant for this round of reunions.
He's meeting with his daughter-in-law and a granddaughter from the North.
His two brothers and one sister, as well as his son, who were in the North have all died.
Baek says it's apparent this will be the last time he gets to see them.
He's prepared presents to give to his relatives -- ranging from clothes and shoes, to utensils and toiletries.
"Well, I'm just going to tell them... that I wanted to buy a lot more things, but didn't have enough money. You always want to buy and give things to your family. That's how I feel."
Kim Byong-oh will also head to the North for the family reunions.
He says that, ever since he found out he was selected,... he could not sleep nor eat for weeks thinking of finally meeting his younger sister.
"When I first see her,... I'm going to look at her hands to see how much hardship she's been through. I'll be crying a lot and telling her that we should see each other in heaven next time. How else can we meet? // A part of me was glad I got this chance in my lifetime,... but another part of me was scared about how I would have to part with her again. But I think I'm ready."
"The Koreans who've been torn apart for most of their lives are finally meeting on Monday. The next three days to come... will be full of joy and tears for these people,... who're meeting their loved ones for the first time in nearly 70 years. Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News, Sokcho."