South Korea 2026-2028 Separated Families Plan: Fate Confirmation as Top Priority

Time's running out for those waiting to hear from their kin. With 32% of surviving members aged 90 and older, the Unification Ministry announced it'll prioritize confirming the fate of relatives in North Korea if inter-Korean relations thaw.

South Korea 2026-2028 Separated Families Plan Details

On December 31, 2025, the ministry unveiled its comprehensive plan for the 2026-2028 period. The strategy focuses on resuming government-level reunions and facilitating civilian exchanges. According to Yonhap, the government aims to put family verification at the forefront of any diplomatic progress with the North.

New Venues and Diplomatic Challenges

The situation's complicated by the fact that North Korea dismantled the reunion facility at Mount Kumgang in 2019. In response, the ministry's considering alternative locations and seeking reciprocal visits to Seoul and Pyongyang. There have been 21 rounds of reunions since the first summit in 2000, but none since August 2018.

As of November 2025, only 34,658 survivors remain registered. The urgency's growing as elderly members continue to pass away without a final chance to see their loved ones due to Pyongyang's ongoing reluctance.