First Korean cross-border phone link for 50 years will reunite 40 families
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It is a fresh concession by reclusive North Korea which has allowed the reunions next month to coincide with joint celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Korean independence from Japanese rule. Twenty families from each side are to meet in the reunions, which are being prepared by technicians who have laid fibre-optic cable, and yesterday hooked up the telephone and fax line. The Korean people have been separated by the most heavily fortified border in the world for the past 50 years.
Face-to-face reunions will also be held at the North's Diamond Mountain resort, the 11th round of such reunions since the first summit in June 2000 between the leaders of the North and South. Nearly 10,000 separated relatives have met.
The North Korean leadership is so paranoid that an experiment with mobile phones, reserved for the military alone, was ended after only months. The state bans use of the internet.
Plans for more direct connections, such as rail and transportation links, have been put on hold because of the nuclear issue that has bedevilled North Korea's relations with the outside world.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments