Two sides are set to discuss divided family reunions, and possible N. Korea participation at soldiers athletic event 

Implementation of the agreement reached in the “two-plus-two” talks between high-level officials from North and South Korea held from Aug. 22 to Aug. 24 is gaining momentum, with the two sides agreeing for staff from the Red Cross to meet on Sep. 7 to prepare for reunions of families divided by the Korean War that are scheduled to occur around the Chuseok Harvest Festival.

The next question is whether the two sides can also make headway on promoting civilian exchange in various areas, another agreement that was reached in the two-plus-two talks.

“If ideas for civilian exchange are proposed, we are planning to review and pursue them in the spirit of the agreement,” a senior government official said on Aug. 31.

The first idea being discussed is holding a joint event between North and South Korea on National Foundation Day on Oct. 3. Between 2001 and 2007, North and South Korea each organized joint events for Mar. 1 Movement Day, the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, Liberation Day on Aug. 15, and National Foundation Day on Oct. 3, but no joint events have been held since the election of previous president Lee Myung-bak (in office 2008-2013).

In South Korea, the Dangun People’s Peaceful Unification Deliberative Group is currently preparing to set up a committee to organize a joint inter-Korean ceremony for Foundation Day.

“The groups that had promoted the joint ceremonies on June 15 and Aug. 15 are planning to put together a committee to promote the joint inter-Korean ceremony through the method of separate participation. Our plan is to send a delegation to North Korea composed of figures from various sectors to hold a joint event at the tomb of Dangun in Pyongyang,” said Yun Seung-gil, secretary general of the group.

This year, discussions were held about civilian groups organizing joint ceremonies to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the North-South Joint Declaration on June 15 and the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial occupation on Aug. 15. However, these plans came to nothing because of disagreement about where the event should be held amid a larger deterioration of inter-Korean relations. This is why the National Foundation Day event could be a turning point.

There is also talk about a team of North Korean athletes attending the CISM Military World Games, which will be held in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, from Oct. 2 to 11. North Korea had announced that it would be boycotting the games on Aug. 2, but there it is possible that the mood may have changed thanks to the agreement in the two-plus-two talks.

If North Korea decides to attend, it would connect with the recent breakthrough in inter-Korean relations to put an even greater spotlight on the significance of the military athletic games as a chance for soldiers to work for peace instead of war.

“If North Korea submits another application, it can attend the games. We would welcome its attendance,” said an official on the organization committee for the games.

Some experts believe, however, that North Korea is unlikely to come around on the question, since the period of the games overlaps with Oct. 10, when North Korea will organize a military review to mark the foundation of the Korean Workers’ Party.

The South Korean government also appears to be moving forward with selecting civilian groups to run forestry and environmental aid projects for North Korea worth 3 billion won (US.54 million).

“We selected seven organizations in the first round and announced the results on Aug. 28. Once the projects are confirmed through deliberation with North Korea, we will take steps to provide support through the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund,” a senior government official said.

In related news, Ministry of Unification spokesperson Jeong Joon-hee told reporters during the regular briefing on Aug. 31 that Red Cross staff from North and South Korea would also be discussing the idea of holding family reunions on a regular basis during their meeting.

“The agenda for discussion will generally focus on the upcoming reunions, but there will also be discussion of holding the reunions regularly,” Jeong said.

North Korea could be more likely to discuss holding the reunions on a regular basis during government talks rather than in working-level talks so that it can link these to concessions from the South Korean government.

By Son Won-je, staff reporter and Park Byong-su, senior staff writer

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