DPRK and ROK discuss reuniting divided families

SEOUL: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have no major differences on resuming reunions of families separated by the Korean War but are far apart on prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian abductees, reports said yesterday.

The dispute over ROK citizens allegedly held by the DPRK emerged on the second day of the rare talks between the two sides to arrange reunions of families separated since the war ended in 1953, according to reports by ROK media accredited to cover the talks.

The meeting, which opened at the DPRK's Diamond Mountain resort on Wednesday, came as Pyongyang adopts a more conciliatory stance toward the ROK and the US after months of animosity over its nuclear and missile programs.