Korea

Korea talks make ‘little progress

images (9)

The two Koreas have ended their rare high-level talks, making ‘little progress.’

South Korean officials said on Thursday that little progress was made during the talks on February 12, as Pyongyang demanded that Seoul delay a planned joint military drill with the United States until the end of scheduled Korean family reunions.

The South Korean side stressed the significance of smooth arrangements for the reunions, but said it could not link humanitarian issues to military-related matters.

The joint military exercise is scheduled to be held on February 24, while the reunion event is expected to begin on February 20-25.

Pyongyang has also asked Seoul to monitor its media after saying that South Korean media reports were critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The February 12 meeting was reportedly held at the request of Pyongyang, after the two neighbors agreed to hold the reunions at Mount Kumgang, which is a resort on North Korea’s east coast.

Last August, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed on the reunions for thousands of people separated by the Korean War. North Korea called the event off just four days before it started, citing “hostility” from South Korea.

The last reunion event was held in 2010.

More than 70,000 South Koreans, more than half of them elders aged over 80, are on Seoul’s waiting list to take part in the reunion session, which hosts only around 100 people on each side.

The Korean War started in 1950 and lasted for three years. Millions of Koreans were separated as a result of the conflict.

Back to top button