Anchor: A team that will inspect facilities at Mount Geumgang ahead of the upcoming inter-Korean family reunions has arrived at the scenic mountain resort. Efforts, meanwhile, have begun to confirm the whereabouts of 200 individuals the North listed as potential reunion candidates.
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.
 
Report: A South Korean team made up of 14 officials from the Unification Ministry and Hyundai Asan, the operator of tours to Mount Geumgang, has entered North Korea.
 
During its two-day stay, the team will inspect facilities that will be used for inter-Korean family reunions, including the mountain resort's reunion center, the Oekumgang Hotel and the Mount Kumgang Hotel.
 
Meanwhile, South Korea's Red Cross has begun confirming the living statuses of 200 candidates on the preliminary list the North sent for the reunions that are scheduled to take place from October 20 to 26.
 
The Korean Red Cross is comparing the names, regions and addresses provided on the North’s list with the Unification Ministry's database of some 60-thousand South Koreans who come from separated families.
 
The Red Cross said it will request cooperation from local governments and police if it runs into difficulties in locating family members.
 
The two Koreas will return the lists with the information about the living status of the family members on October 5.
 
While preparations for the reunions are underway, some have raised concerns over North Korea's recent comments hinting a possible launch of a long-range missile next month and the reactivation of its Yongbyon nuclear facility.  
 
Unification Ministry Spokesman Jeong Joon-hee on Wednesday said it is difficult to say that the North’s intention to carry out a nuclear test has become clear with its latest announcement. He said it too early to respond to every issue regarding the possibility of the North carrying out a nuclear test.
 
Jeong added, however, that the South will sternly respond should the North push forward with the launch of a long-range rocket or a nuclear test, as the acts would be grave provocations and military threats against South Korea.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.