Political Quotes

“I rise today to introduce the ``Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act'' with my colleague Senator Sullivan. This bipartisan piece of legislation would open opportunities for Korean Americans to be included in reunions with their relatives who remain in North Korea. Many first generation Korean Americans, now in their 80's and 90's, are waiting to be reunited with their parents, spouses, children, siblings, and cousins. They should not have to wait any longer. One of the tragic legacies of the Korean War is the permanent separation of Korean families. Sixty-eight years ago, the United States, People's Republic of China, North Korea, and South Korea agreed to an armistice which drew a new border between North Korea from South Korea. Since then, there has been little contact between South Koreans and their family members who remained in North Korea, and almost no contact between Korean Americans and their loved ones in North Korea. North and South Korea first agreed to hold reunions of divided families in 1985. There have been 21 face-to face reunions and multiple video-link reunions, which have given approximately 24,500 Koreans the opportunity to briefly reunite with loved ones. There is no official channel, however, for Korean Americans to participate in these reunions. Many Korean Americans long for an opportunity to meet their North Korean relatives.…”