The two Koreas on Friday exchanged lists of candidates for this month’s reunions of separated families.
The North’s Red Cross confirmed the survival of 167 people on the list of 250, which was sent on Aug. 29. Excluding the deceased, sick and unwilling, 117 candidates are able to take part in the event on Sept. 25-30 at Mount Geumgangsan, a Unification Ministry official said.
The South side said it has also verified the identity and whereabouts of 1,756 members of 149 families, out of 200. It failed to locate the remaining 51.
The two Koreas plan to trade the lists of each country’s 100 finalists on Monday. They will be allowed to bring up to five relatives per family with them.
The (South) Korean National Red Cross said it will give priority to immediate family and the aged.
“Compared with the past, it is remarkable progress that (the North) has confirmed more than 60 percent of the candidates,” the official told reporters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
By Shin Hyon-hee
(heeshin@heraldcorp.com)
