Tears and hope fill the last group reunion of the war torn families
- 6 years ago
Scores of South and North Koreans bid an emotional farewell on Wednesday following their first reunions after more than six decades of living apart following the outbreak of the Korean War.
They said goodbye, knowing that it will almost certainly be the last time they will ever see each other.
Lee Ji-won reports.
The last group-session for the families torn apart by war was one that could not be watched without tears.
88 year old Kim Byung-oh and his sister cried the moment they saw each other again...
Kim's sister expressed her sorrow by singing a song for her brother.
Families shared their deep regret at not being able to keep the family together.
I've always had that regret in my heart because of my little brother. But it's all gone now, now that I've seen you guys.
Three days was surely not enough,... but families did their best to use the last remaining three hours to bid farewell to their loved ones, whom they will probably never be able to see again.
Families shared childhood memories and decades-old stories, like 82-year-old Bae Soon-hee and her sisters.
When we used to dig deodeok from the mountains, our mom used to cook them and it was really delicious.
Yes, I remember. It was delicious.
Many also took photos with their instant cameras to try and preserve this once in a lifetime memory.
Families also exchanged their addresses and personal information in case they ever end up on the same side of the border,... and many also drew family trees to fill in the details of their families.
There were also those wishing for each others' health and promising to meet again in the future.
When will we be able to meet again? Maybe after 20 years when the two Koreas finally reunite. So stay healthy.
But when it was finally time to go, it was impossible to hold back the tears.
And like that, the nearly 200 South Koreans got on the bus back home after 12 unforgettable hours with their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of the North.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.
They said goodbye, knowing that it will almost certainly be the last time they will ever see each other.
Lee Ji-won reports.
The last group-session for the families torn apart by war was one that could not be watched without tears.
88 year old Kim Byung-oh and his sister cried the moment they saw each other again...
Kim's sister expressed her sorrow by singing a song for her brother.
Families shared their deep regret at not being able to keep the family together.
I've always had that regret in my heart because of my little brother. But it's all gone now, now that I've seen you guys.
Three days was surely not enough,... but families did their best to use the last remaining three hours to bid farewell to their loved ones, whom they will probably never be able to see again.
Families shared childhood memories and decades-old stories, like 82-year-old Bae Soon-hee and her sisters.
When we used to dig deodeok from the mountains, our mom used to cook them and it was really delicious.
Yes, I remember. It was delicious.
Many also took photos with their instant cameras to try and preserve this once in a lifetime memory.
Families also exchanged their addresses and personal information in case they ever end up on the same side of the border,... and many also drew family trees to fill in the details of their families.
There were also those wishing for each others' health and promising to meet again in the future.
When will we be able to meet again? Maybe after 20 years when the two Koreas finally reunite. So stay healthy.
But when it was finally time to go, it was impossible to hold back the tears.
And like that, the nearly 200 South Koreans got on the bus back home after 12 unforgettable hours with their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters of the North.
Lee Ji-won, Arirang News.