Number of S. Koreans with family in N. Korea down to less than 33,000

SEOUL, September 27 (Yonhap) -- The count of South Koreans with kinfolk residing in North Korea, following their division during the 1950-53 Korean War, has plummeted, now totalling under 33,000, with the vast majority surpassing the age of 80, according to recent data. As of late August, a combined total of 134,848 individuals had registered to have separated family members in the North, but only 32,948 remained alive, as per the information provided by the unification ministry to Rep. Woo Won-shik of the ruling Democratic Party.

Of those survivors, two-thirds were 80 or older -- 10,945 aged between 80 and 89, and 11,007 aged 90 and above. Annually, approximately 3,000 people with family ties in the North pass away, the data revealed. With the dwindling number of separated families, the unification ministry must commence preparations promptly, so that inter-Korean dialogue can be prioritized should talks resume between North Korea and the United States, according to Woo, whose family members are also in the North.

The war's aftermath left numerous individuals estranged from their relatives, yet persistent inter-Korean tensions have rendered reunions increasingly challenging. The last instance of South Korea hosting reunions for such families was in August 2018.