SEOUL, The South Korean unification ministry announced plans to increase the frequency of surveys regarding families separated during the 1950-53 Korean War, shifting from every five years to every three years.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision follows Cabinet approval of a revised enforcement ordinance, aiming to address the pressing needs of an aging demographic who have yet to reunite with their relatives in North Korea. The revised schedule will initiate this year's survey ahead of the previously planned 2026 cycle. This strategic adjustment is intended to enhance policy responses as more elderly individuals pass away without the opportunity to reconnect with family members across the border. As of the end of April, there were 38,491 surviving members of separated families, with 67.3% being aged 80 or older.