Seoul: The unification ministry announced plans to prioritize confirming the fate of separated families' relatives in North Korea, contingent on improved inter-Korean relations. This initiative is part of the 2026-2028 plan aimed at supporting families divided by the 1950-53 Korean War. The ministry aims to resume government-level exchanges and encourage civilian-level interactions between these families.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry emphasized that when progress is made in inter-Korean relations, the primary focus will be on verifying the status of family members in North Korea. Since the inaugural inter-Korean summit in 2000, there have been 21 rounds of family reunions. However, these reunions have been on hold since August 2018 due to deteriorating ties between the two nations.

In 2019, North Korea dismantled a reunion facility within its Mount Kumgang tourist area, following orders from leader Kim Jong-un to remove "unpleasant-looking" South Korean structures. In response, the ministry is exploring alternative locations for family reunions and considering reciprocal visits between Seoul and Pyongyang for separated families.

The urgency of the issue is underscored by the aging population of separated family members, many of whom have died without reuniting with their kin in North Korea. As of the end of November, 34,658 surviving separated family members were registered with the government, with 32 percent aged 90 and older.