OMF Blog
19. North/South Family Exchanges
NK Blog - Wednesday 09 December 2009How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
South and North Korea held their first family members “video reunions” on August 15th 2005 — the anniversary of the liberation of Korea from Japan in 1945, at the end of World War II. Videos were set up in seven cities in South Korea and in Pyongyang in North Korea, and people with relatives on “the other side” were able to see and speak to those relatives. This was probably the first time these family members had seen each other since 1950 when the Korean War broke out. Family and respect for fathers and elder brothers is very important to Koreans. A very moving picture documenting these video reunions showed three people in South Korea bowing to their older brother located in North Korea. (35)
It was good that at least the video exchanges were allowed; but when will the family members be allowed to meet each other in person?
During the last five years, various face-to-face family reunions between Koreans in the South and in the North have been held, organized by the Red Cross groups in both countries. These have been held for two to three days and are closely watched by officials. The South Koreans, at least, were very well briefed beforehand as to what they could and could not talk about. The two Koreas have also begun the construction of a center for family reunions at Mount Kumgang in the North. This facility will be able to hold up to 1,000 people and should be finished around April 2007. It is being paid for by South Korea. (36) Praise God that steps are being taken to at least allow separated family members to meet each other.
- Praise God that some separated family members are being allowed to meet each other.
- Pray that more and more people may be able to see family members “on the other side.”
- Pray that the Christians from the South would spread the aroma of Christ to their relatives from the North when they meet together.