The National Human Rights Commission of Korea(Chairperson Hyun Byung-chul) with the KNA Human Rights Forum, and Karts, hosted a panel discussion to identify challenges and policy measures regarding ageing of separated families on 3 April.
This year marks 70th anniversary of independence and division of both Koreas. The division and Korean war resulted in separated families, most of whom passed away without knowing the fate and whereabouts of their families. Moreover, most of the first generation of separated families, who are senior citizens, are expected to pass away within a number of years, which is why the NHRCK would like to identify challenges and policy measures regarding the ageing of separated families.
Until now, only 19 times of face-to-face reunion and 7 times of video reunion were made, which are suspended without knowing when to be restarted. Even if the reunion begins again and application for reunion starts, only a few of them will be given opportunity to meet their families as long as the methods of reunion remains the same.
Accordingly, the NHRCK organized this event to create an opportunity to raise awareness of the issue of separated families and discuss policy measures, as there are concerns on weakening attention and will with decreasing number of separated families.
