President Lee pledges to resume inter-Korean dialogue for separated families

President Lee Jae-myung has expressed a commitment to resuming inter-Korean dialogue to resolve the issue of separated families, which has seen no reunions since 2018. In a written commemorative address for the 4th Separated Families Day, Lee emphasized that the task can no longer be delayed, noting that nearly half of the surviving separated family members have passed away without meeting their relatives.

The President proposed starting the process with verifying the life and death status of family members. To prepare for future reunions, the government plans to systematically collect genetic information and preserve life records of separated individuals. Additionally, Lee announced plans to expand surveys regarding the status of separated families living abroad to better support those residing in foreign countries.