North Korea's Red Cross Chairman Ri Chung-bok has said all Korean people yearn for an improvement in South-North relations and for reconciliation and unity of the two Koreas.
 
Ri made the remark in a toast at a welcome dinner hosted by the South on the first day of inter-Korean family reunions on Tuesday.
 
Ri said he has realized that there is nothing to be gained from hostility and competition between the two Koreas and that nothing has changed in the North's intention to end the tragedy of ethnic division perpetrated by foreign powers.
 
South Korea's Red Cross President Kim Sung-joo said at the dinner that the resumption of family reunions after a 20-month hiatus is the first fruit to be borne of the August 25 high-level talks between the South and North.
 
Kim hoped the two sides would work to confirm the living status of all separated family members and reach a day when regular meetings and letter exchanges can be held.