Separated Korean Families Hope for Reunion Amid Thawing North–South Relations

Koh is hoping the renewed relations between the North and the South would make it possible for him to visit his relatives in the North frequently.

Koh Ho-jun shows photos of the engagement of his brother, Koh Ho-seok, to his wife in North Korea which Koh Ho-jun received during an inter-Korean family reunion, in his home in Cheongju, South Korea, on Oct. 2, 2018. Seungmock Oh/Special to The Epoch Times

CHEONGJU, South Korea—The last time Koh Ho-jun saw his brother was six decades ago. Then 19 years old, his brother had high hopes for his future, wanting to pursue an education, but their family was poor and couldn’t afford it.

“North Koreans told him that he would be able to study however many years he wanted, and lead a wealthy life.  That’s why he followed the North Koreans,” said Koh, 76, from his home in Cheongju in central South Korea.