South Korea’s Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo has hinted that the Seoul government may propose the two Koreas hold talks around August 15 to realize reunions of families separated by the Korean War around the Chuseok holidays.
 
The minister told a KBS TV program on Sunday that the issue of inter-Korean family reunions is the most important and urgent issue, vowing to make his best efforts to hold the reunions before the Chuseok holidays.
 
The minister also said that even under Seoul’s economic sanctions against Pyongyang, the two sides could pursue meaningful inter-Korean projects as long as they have political will, hinting that Seoul can discuss ways to resume tours to the North’s Mount Geumgang resort without linking it with the sanctions.
 
Regarding former First Lady Lee Hee-ho’s planned visit to Pyongyang, the minister said that it is Lee’s personal visit, but the visit is meaningful in itself.