By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
One hundred South Koreans would likely meet their displaced families in North Korea if a reunion is held in October as agreed upon previously, according to the National Red Cross (NRC) here Tuesday.
However, details regarding the reunion, included in an agreement signed between the Hyundai Group and North Korea's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee Monday, have yet to be determined.
``North Koreans had a chance to meet with their families left in the South in the latest reunion in 2007. So, this time, 100 South Koreans would have the opportunity to meet their family members living in the North,'' an NRC official told The Korea Times, asking to remain anonymous.
The reunion is expected to take place at a reunion center built near Mt. Geumgang in North Korea last year.
The conglomerate and the North's organization agreed to promote the reunion on Chuseok (Korea's Thanksgiving Day) which falls on Oct. 3, following Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun's visit to the North from Aug. 10 to 17.
Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said the government would do its utmost to help displaced families meet their family members but did not elaborate on concrete plans.
With the Chuseok holiday approaching, hopes are growing that the government this week may propose a meeting between the South and North Korean Red Crosses, which have dealt with the reunion.
It usually takes about 20 days to organize a reunion, according to another NRC official.
After the agreement was made public, the Red Cross in Seoul has faced an increase in phone calls as separated families shot questions about possible reunions.
The Red Cross will pick 300 out of 87,586 applicants in its initial stage and screen them based on their health conditions and the status of their separated families, the official said.