Koreans open talks

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 10

Koreans open talks

NZPA-Reuter Seoul North and South Korea opened Red Cross talks in Seoul yesterday after a break of 12 years on ways to reunite an estimated 10 million family members separated by the Korean war of 1950-53.

Both sides have publicly expressed hope about the discussions. Some South Korean officials said that they did not expect much progress because Pyongyang was more interested in launching interparliamentary talks to discuss political matters. Yesterday’s session

opened at a five-star hotel in a south-eastern suburb of Seoul, where the 84-member northern party is staying. Another session will be held today. The talks agenda includes discussion on reuniting separated families, finding missing people, and the possible exchange of visits and mail.

When the North Korean Red Cross delegates last visited Seoul in 1973, they attended a cabaret featuring scantily dressed girl dancers, which they denounced as degrading. This time the South

Koreans have taken no chances. Last evening’s entertainment programme was a show of traditional song and dance performed by women wearing a long Korean costume called the hambok.

The Red Cross talks were initiated under a joint declaration in 1972. The North discontinued the talks the next August, accusing the South of anti-communist activities. The two sides have also begun trade talks, but these bogged down at the last session, on May 17, and were adjourned to June 20.