Korean family reunion
A group of selected South Koreans have met North Korean relatives, from whom they had been separated since the 1950-53 Korean War. The reunions - the first in more than three years - are to continue until February 22.
The reunions: A poltical issue
South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae pushed 91-year-old Choi Jeong-ho's, one of many wheelchair-bound participants to the bus. The reunion program began after a historic North-South summit in 2000, and the waiting lists are long. For many, time ran out: Last year alone 3,800 South Koreans who applied to take part died without ever seeing their relatives.
Heading off to the reunion
86-year-old Heo Kyung-ok waving from a bus as she departs to reunite with family. The South Koreans, with an average age of 84, left the eastern port city of Sokcho at 8:30 am on board 10 buses, with half a dozen police vehicles as escorts.
Sisters' reunion
96-year-old Kim Seong-yun from South Korean (left) met her North Korean sister Kim Seok-rye and other relatives fro the first time since they were separated following the 1950-53 Korean war. She brought gifts ranging from basic medicines to framed family photos.
Brother meets sister
88-year-old Lee Sun-hyang from South Korea met her 72-year-old North Korean brother Lee Yun-geun for the first time in decades. The first family reunions were held in 1985, and several more from 2000 to 2010. None had been held since then and the latest come at a difficult time for the two Koreas, which are still technically at war: US-South Korean joint military manoevres are to begin next week.