Painful reunions for Korean families

For ageing Korean relatives, the reuinion was temporary and far too short

(CNN) -- For aging relatives, this week's reunions between North and South Korean families were temporary, and far too short. Only three days at the North's Keumgang Mountains.

Mothers and sons who hadn't seen each other for over half a decade. Brothers and sisters, not knowing if the other survived the Korean war and the following 50 years -- separated by the world's most heavily fortified border.

They took pictures and exchanged as many stories as possible, trying to fill the half-century-long void and prepare for another heart-wrenching farewell, one they fear would be their last.

The Red Cross worked both sides of the border -- helping 465 South Koreans track down long-lost relatives in the north -- assisting North Koreans in locating nearly 100 family members living in the South.

The emotional family reunions are considered the most visible outcome of South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung's efforts to engage the North in what he calls " the sunshine policy."

South Korean Lim Dong-won, who is considered the policy's architect, knows the pain of divided families. He has a sister in the North.

RESOURCES GALLERY: Korean families reunited    IN-DEPTH Tensions on the Korean peninsula

Lim traveled to Pyongyang last month as the president's special envoy ---- personally meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il --- getting his OK for this recent round of reunions.

"Reuniting the divided families is urgent from a humanitarian point of view. But the North has avoided it. Only with the summit has the trickle of reunions started. While not many people can meet, taking the first step is important," said Lim Dong-Won, Special Advisor to the President on National Security and Unification.

Talks are also set to cautiously resume between the North and the United States. During Lim's visit to the North, he delivered a message from the South Korean president that emphasized the importance of renewed dialogue.

"Since the beginning of U.S. President Bush's administration, and especially since Mr. Bush branded the North as one of the countries forming an axis of evil, relations between the two countries have suffered," he added.

The North is now making overtures about re-engaging in talks with the United States and South Korea.

For many around the world, and especially the divided families, the question is whether the North is willing to back up its words with action.