Bittersweet Reunion

Imagine being separated from your family for more than half of century? How would you even recognize your mother or father, sister or brother after 50 years? About 20 years ago, my father was fortunate enough to meet his older sister in North Korea. During the war, she stayed behind to care for her ill mother-in-law while her husband and all of my father's family escaped to South Korea. I cannot contemplate her pain and suffering of being left behind.

Yesterday, more than 430 South Korean crossed the border to reunite with their loved ones.
"The current reunion is the 18th since 2000. Nearly 21,000 South Koreans have been reunited with relatives so far, the Red Cross said. Meanwhile, 88,000 South Koreans are on a Red Cross waiting list. But time is running out; about half the South Korean applicants are now over 80."
The NY Times


For more information: CBC