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The number of South Koreans with relatives in North Korea has fallen below 33,000, continuing a long-term decline among families separated during the 1950-53 Korean War, local media reported on Sunday.
According to data from South Korea’s Unification Ministry cited by Seoul-based Yonhap News, 134,848 people had registered as members of separated families as of August. Only 32,948 of them were still living.
Most survivors are over 80
Two-thirds of the surviving members are aged over 80. The data showed that 10,945 people were between 80 and 89, while 11,007 were aged 90 or older.
About 3,000 people with family members in North Korea die each year, according to the ministry’s figures.
“As not much time remains for separated families, the Unification Ministry must start preparing now so that inter-Korean dialogue can be discussed as a priority agenda item in the event talks resume between North Korea and the United States,” said Woo Won-shik, a lawmaker from South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party. Woo himself has family in North Korea.
Reunions have been suspended since 2018
The Korean War separated millions of people from their relatives, while continuing tensions between North and South Korea have made family reunions difficult.
South Korea last hosted reunions for separated families in 2018.
