The tens of thousands of families who've yet to be selected for these reunions might get another chance soon.
According to the South Korean Red Cross, both sides have agreed that another round of reunions needs to be held this year.
Kan Hyeong-woo reports. The next round of inter-Korean family reunions could happen sooner than expected.
Speaking to the press pool at the reunion center at Mount Kumgang,... the President of the South Korean Red Cross, Park Kyung-seo, said Saturday... that he and the North's number-two official on reunification, Pak Yong-il,... agreed on the need to hold another round of reunions within the year.

The relatives on both sides are getting older, and around 3 or 4 thousand of them die each year.
In less than 10 years,... there could be almost no one left for the reunions, so the South Korean official said he considers this issue a top priority.

Although the exact date has not been set,... Park said he expects it to happen near the end of October... before it gets too cold for the participants, who are almost all very elderly.
He also said the reunion will be similar to this most recent session -- in terms of schedule and size.
The two Koreas will decide on the details through working-level talks.

The South Korean Red Cross chief also credited North Korea for its role in the latest round.
It was the North's cooperation, he said, that allowed for the participants to enter the North without having to get off their buses... and for them to have meals with their relatives without supervision.
He also called the first set of reunions since the Panmunjom Declaration was signed during this year's inter-Korean summit... a major success.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News, Sokcho.