From the emotional first group reunion to the teary send-off,... the three days they spent together just flew by for the families... who had been separated by the Korean War and division of the Korean peninsula for almost seven decades.
The families wrapped up their reunion at North Korea's Mount Kumgang resort on Sunday... and our Cha Sang-mi has more on the tearful scenes.
The second round of inter-Korean family reunions began on Friday, with the participants from the South driven by bus to North Korea's Mount Kumgang resort.
Eighty-one people from North Korea were selected to meet with their South Korean relatives, numbering 326 people in total.
The families met and had dinner for the first time in 68 years,.. some of whom had never seen each other before.
"Mother waited 68 years for you. I'm glad you're well and healthy. Never in my dreams did I think you'd be alive."
Cho Jung-ki burst into tears as he talked to his father.
The elder Cho's wife was three months pregnant with their son, when they were split across the border.
On day two, the families spent some quality time together separately in assigned rooms, eating lunch and having candid conversations without supervision or press.
The families exchanged presents, too.
"Did you prepare many gifts?"
"I brought jackets, noodles and daily goods. These five bags are full of daily necessities. I'm happier now as I can give them some gifts."
Before going into the private setting,.. Yoon Chang-seop, couldn't hide his delight after seeing his long-lost uncle from the North.
The last day came all too quickly.
Long-separated families finally reunited... but having to part ways again.
“I cried every time I thought of saying goodbye to you.”
“If we live long and stay healthy, the time will come for us to meet again.”
“I wish. I wish we could see each other every day.”
The older sister promises they'll meet again in the future, knowing they probably won't.
The participants say the three days they spent together -- despite being under strict control -- were amazing.
The families had a session for exchanging letters, where some grandchildren, nephews and nieces, wrote heartfelt letters for their grandparents, aunts and uncles, and vice versa.
The grandchildren had never seen their North Korean grandparents before, but they invited them to their homes in the South.
The venue for Sunday's farewell became a sea of tears, but it seemed they were happy deep down.
The families said the three days flew by and they wanted to stop time so they wouldn't have to say goodbye.
Just after lunch, though, the South Korean participants left Mount Kumgang, going home and heading back to their regular lives.
Cha Sang-mi, Arirang News.
