A humanitarian call was made on October 3, 2025, by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for North Korea to resume reunions and correspondence between families who were separated during the 1950-1953 Korean War. The president made his appeal during a meeting with elderly South Korean citizens who still have relatives living in the North. According to United Press International, the meeting was held at the Ganghwa Peace Observatory in Incheon, a location directly overlooking the North Korean border. In his address, Lee emphasized the need for both North and South Korea to prioritize the well-being, dignity, and emotional needs of these families, many of whom have been waiting for decades for contact. He also noted that the timing is particularly significant as it comes ahead of Chuseok, Korea’s major mid-autumn festival, when family gatherings and honoring ancestors are central cultural traditions. Lee framed the reunions as a moral responsibility for political leaders on both sides to provide elderly citizens with at least some connection to the loved ones they were tragically separated from.

Reactions to Lee’s appeal have been largely supportive among South Korean political figures and humanitarian organizations. United Press International notes that Lee stated, “I strongly urge the North to consider these unfortunate circumstances from a humanitarian perspective… families should ideally be able to meet again in person.” Experts on inter-Korean relations have said that restarting family reunions could serve as a symbolic step toward easing long-standing tensions between North and South Korea. However, The Straits Times says these efforts will only succeed if there is broader diplomatic cooperation.

The initiative is commendable for prioritizing human-centered diplomacy rather than politics. By framing separated family reunions as a moral and humanitarian responsibility, Lee encourages cooperation rather than conflict. While the broader conflict between the two Koreas remains unresolved, emphasizing compassion and care for the elderly and vulnerable populations is a realistic and practical approach to peacebuilding. Actions like these help foster trust and maintain open communication that could later support future negotiations.

Since 2000, North and South Korea have conducted 21 family reunions, with the most recent reunion held in August 2018, during a brief period of improved relations between the two. According to Reuters, relations have cooled since then, and in February 2025, North Korea began dismantling facilities used for these reunions at its Mount Kumgang tourist zone, indicating further tension and deterioration between the two countries. Over 134,000 South Koreans have registered for reunion programs since 1988, but only about 35,311 were alive as of August 2025, with most over 80 years old, based on information from United Press International. The shrinking number of elderly participants makes Lee’s call even more urgent.

Looking ahead, the resumption of separated family reunions would have both symbolic and practical value. It would not only address a pressing humanitarian need but also signal willingness for dialogue and cooperation between North and South Korea, potentially leading to wider reconciliation. Ensuring that these families can reconnect, even through letters if in-person meetings remain unattainable, emphasizes that human dignity must remain central to any peace process. North Korea, South Korea, and the international community should prioritize these efforts as an integral part of lasting peace and security on the peninsula.