President Lee says resolving separated families' plight cannot wait

President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday called the plight of families separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War "the most pressing issue" facing the two Koreas. The president made the remarks in a statement marking the fourth Separated Families Day, read by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, as Lee is currently in New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly. "Eight years have passed since the last reunion, and we can no longer afford to delay this," Lee said. "Families should be able to reach and see one another, no matter where in the world they live." He called on both Koreas to set aside hostility and confrontation in favor of respect and genuine exchange, adding that his government would keep pursuing the issue even with inter-Korean relations at a standstill. After reading the president's statement, Chung offered a personal reflection. He was born on July 27, 1953, the day the Korean War armistice was signed. That coincidence has always felt meaningful to him, Chung said, adding the two Koreas cannot remain "at war" forever and that the armistice should eventually give way to