New data shows that less than half of South Koreans who applied for reunions with their North Korean relatives are alive and the average age of the mostly elderly applicants topped 80. 
 
According to the Integrated Information System for Separated Families operated by the Unification Ministry and the Korean Red Cross, 51-point-three percent of the 130-thousand-874 South Koreans were deceased as of late July this year.
 
The average age among the 63-thousand-694 living applicants stood at 80-point-five, up from 79-point-five late last year.
 
As of the end of July, 16-point-six percent of the South Koreans were in their 90s, 43-point-eight percent in their 80s and 24 percent in their 70s. Eight-point-nine percent were found to be in their 60s and six-point-seven percent were under the age of 50.