Tue Sep 17 06:52:55 UTC 2024: ## 92-Year-Old Korean War Veteran Still Yearns for Family He Left Behind

**GANGWON, South Korea** – Mr. Kim Sang-ho, a 92-year-old Korean War veteran, left his home in North Korea at the tender age of 18 for military training. He never imagined he would be separated from his family, a promise to his mother for a swift return shattered by the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950.

Now, decades later, Mr. Kim remains stranded in South Korea, clinging to fading memories of his mother and siblings. He has no idea if they are still alive, the iron curtain of the divided peninsula making contact impossible. “I miss her a lot, but I won’t be able to see her anymore. Maybe I’ll see her again when I’m dead,” he lamented.

Mr. Kim’s story reflects the tragic reality of countless families torn apart by the Korean War, which left a lasting scar on the Korean peninsula. While the war ended in 1953 with an armistice, the two Koreas remain divided, leaving countless families separated.

Mr. Kim, who now lives in Hwacheon, a town near the North Korean border, still harbours a deep desire to return home, despite the slim possibility of finding his family. He recognizes the harsh reality: “Even if I did now, I don’t think there will be anyone for me to meet. All those close to me are probably dead by now.”

The only glimmer of hope for those separated families lies in the rare reunion events organized by the two Koreas. However, these reunions are few and far between, with only 21 held since 2000. The last one occurred in 2018, and further events have been put on hold due to escalating tensions between the two nations.

As a symbol of the enduring yearning for reunification, a new cable car service operating in Hwacheon allows South Koreans to gaze across the border at North Korea. The view offers a glimpse into the life on the other side, fueling a desire for a future where families can be reunited and the two Koreas can finally become one.

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