On February 10, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho attended the 40th
Manghyang Memorial Festival to hold a joint memorial service with
separated families and discuss the issue of separated families with
separated families and heads of organizations for displaced people.
* The Manghyang Gyeongmo Festival is an event held every year at the
Imjingak Mangbaedan to comfort the pain and resentment of displaced
people and separated families who cannot go home during the holidays
by holding a joint memorial service table.
Minister Kim noted that the issue of separated families is a matter
of moral laws and humanity that must be resolved regardless of
political or military circumstances.
Furthermore, Minister Kim pointed out North Korea’s recent behavior,
including declaring South Korea its main enemy and persisting on
provocations since the beginning of the year. He strongly urged for an
immediate cessation of provocations that threaten the survival of the
Korean people and not to turn a blind eye to the pain of separated families.
Moreover, Minister Kim said that the South Korean government will
not give up and will move forward to fundamentally resolve the issues
of separated families, prisoners of war, abductees, and detainees
without being swayed by any provocations and actions by the North. He
added as the first step in resolving humanitarian issues between the
two Koreas, North Korea should restore and normalize the liaison
channel unilaterally blocked by the North in April last year.
