DATE=1/29/2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KOREAS/TALKS UPDATE (L)

NUMBER=2-271936

BYLINE=HYUN-SUNG KHANG

DATELINE=SEOUL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Red Cross officials from North and South Korea have agreed to hold a third set of family reunions in late February. Following talks at Kumgang in North Korea, the two sides also agreed to allow the exchange of letters between separated families. Hyun-Sung Khang reports from Seoul.

TEXT: Following the first of three-days of talks, North and South Korean officials agreed that 100-people from each side should be allowed to cross the border in late February, to visit relatives they have not seen in half a century.

This will be the third set of family reunions since the unprecedented inter-Korean summit in June. The visits are to last three-days.

/// OPT /// As with the two previous meetings, the Red Cross delegations from each country, will exchange the names of 200-people. From this list, half will be allowed to visit their relatives. /// END OPT ///

The Red Cross officials also agreed that beginning in June separated family members will be allowed to exchange mail with relatives across the border.

There was no report of progress on the issue of a permanent meeting place for Korea's separated family members. Before departing for the talks, the head of the South Korean delegation, Lee Byung-Woon, said he would do his best to persuade the North to open a permanent reunion center during the three-day meeting.

/// OPT /// The two sides are said to disagree on the venue of the meeting place. Seoul wants it located in the border village of Panmunjom, or elsewhere in the demilitarized zone dividing the two countries. South Korean officials say the place will be cheaper and easier for family members to reach. Pyongyang is said to want the reunion center in a more isolated area, like the mountain resort of Kumgang where the present talks are taking place. /// END OPT ///

There are an estimated 10-million Koreans separated by the division of the peninsula and the Korean War of 1950-1953. Since then, there have been no formal means of communication, including telephone, mail and transport links, between North and South Koreans.

Following the inter-Korea summit in Pyongyang, relations between the two Koreas have improved. Since then, 400 North and South Koreans have traveled across the border to meet family members they have not seen in half a century. (SIGNED)

NEB/H-KS/RAE