There are at least eight million South Koreans with relatives in the North. More than 77,000 applied for this week's four-day reunion, and several unsuccessful applicants were seen outside the Seoul hotel where the North Korean visitors are staying, holding up placards. Though North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il promised reunions in September and October, local commentators noted that at the rate of one meeting a month, it would take thousands of years for all families to meet. The reunions this week are the most important result to date of the June summit between the leaders of North and South Korea. But for the people taking part in this week's events, there have been endless restrictions.
All meetings are in hotel rooms and banqueting halls, and private meetings limited to four hours.
Visitors can meet only five relatives. The Age Company Ltd 2000. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.