Separated by inter-Korean border, mother and son reunite after 28 years

Kim Young-nam, 45, right, who is presumed to have been abducted to the North in 1978, hugs his mother, Choi Gye-wol, 82, on June 28 at Mt. Kumgang. Mt. Kumgang/Photo Press Corps

Kim Young-nam, 45, who is presumed to have been abducted to the North in his first year of high school in 1978, reunited with his mother, Choi Gye-wol, 82, on June 28 at the 14th round of separated family reunions currently being held in the North.

Choi, seated in a wheelchair, clasped her youngest son in her arms and cried wordlessly.

Kim was accompanied by Kim Hye-gyeong, 19, his daughter with his former wife, who is said to be alleged Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota. Kim’s new wife and seven-year-old son also attended. Kim’s elder sister, Young-ja, 48, also came from the South to participate in the reunion.

Kim Young-nam arrived first at the fourth three-day session of this 14th round of separated family reunions. Choi entered the hall with her daughter about 3 p.m. and said, "Let me see you!" trying to identify her son’s face. Then Kim spoke, "Mother! It’s me, your youngest son!"

Kim went on to say, "It’s good to see you healthy, mother. I am happy." His elder sister shed tears, saying, "You haven’t changed at all, your hair, your voice..."

When Choi said, "I have no other wish, even if I die now," her son comforted her, saying, "You should live a long life," saying he would complete his filial duty from now on.

Then, hugging his sister, Young-ja, Kim told her how he had missed her. Young-ja greeted Hye-gyeong, her niece, by saying, "I saw you on TV many times." Then, rubbing her brother’s seven-year-old son’s head, she said, "Your head resembles your father’s when he was young."

After this initial greeting, Kim bowed deeply to his mother, saying, "You must have worried so much for your youngest son. An undutiful son bows deeply to you." At this, his mother again burst into tears.

When Kim said, "This is your youngest daughter-in-law," pointing to his wife, his new wife also bowed deeply to Choi and said, "Here is a bow from your daughter-in-law from Pyongyang." Then Kim introduced his son and daughter to his family members from the South.

Kim has said he will hold a press conference to discuss the suspicions surrounding his kidnapping and the identity and origin of his former wife.

This session saw the reunion of 98 families, totaling 149 people from the South and 239 from the North. Participants in the family reunions will return to the South on June 29.