The World On arirang

We begin with the highly-anticipated inter-Korean family reunions.
In what is sure to be an extremely emotional time, war-separated families on the Korean peninsula will reunite for the first time in over 60 years later today.
Our Kwon Soa is in Goseong, Gangwon-do province, not too far from where the event will take place.
Soa, have the families crossed the border yet?


Not yet, but soon
I'm here at the Goseong Unification Observatory, ___ kilometers away from Mounth Kumgang resort, the venue for the reunions.
It's the 20th event of its kind since Korea was split in two.
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Around an hour ago, the buses carrying the families, medical staff and reporters passed by.
The Unification Ministry said earlier the families are expected to cross the border into North Korea between 12:30 and 1 o'clock.
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The buses are carrying 389 South Koreans, though a few people had to be taken by ambulance due to health issues.
Many of the people on board are in wheelchairs -- but that just shows how strong is their resolve to be reunited with their North Korean relatives.
This is the first round of reunions, and involves 96 people who applied to see their relatives in the South.

Around two and a half hours ago, the families arrived at the inter-Korean Transit Office, where they were greeted by the president and staff of the Korean Red Cross, the event organizer.

And Soa, when is the moment the families will finally get to see and embrace each other?

That long-awaited moment will be at 3:30 p.m., 3 p.m., North Korea time, which is when the first group meeting is scheduled to take place.
On the second day, the families will have private meetings that are closed to the media.
In total, the families will meet for three days, but their actual time together will only be 12 hours, however, that is an extension from the usual 11, due to a request by the South Korean Unification Ministry.
It's seen as a good sign that the North agreed to the request.
The families will have a lot to catch up on during their short time together, and gifts to share.

(Korean_ )
"When the June 25th war broke out, my sister and I were separated. I was 13 and she was 18 now I am 78 and she is 83. I made this pencil case for her. Other things I couldn't bring for her, because they are too big and big things are not allowed."

The South Korean families are limited in the kinds of gifts they can bring.
They were also briefed on several do's and dont's while they are in the North, which includes talking about politics and using specific words or phrases.

Less than 8-hundred people will be part of this event.
And the estimated 66-thousand people who weren't selected to be part of this round is desperately waiting for it to become a regular event.
They're still waiting for that one moment as time is running out.
This has been Kwon Soa, reporting live from the Goseong Unification Observatory.