Brothers abducted by North Korea 75 years ago are yet to be reunited with their sisters
In the Shadow of the 38th Parallel: A Tale of Siblings Whisked Away
For 77-year-old Min Young-jae, the vivid memories of her eldest brother, Min Young-sun, remain etched in her mind. A math whiz, a caring older brother, and an aspiring educator, Young-sun vanished 75 years ago during the Korean War.
The Min family's serene life in Dangnim village, nestled between lush green mountains and teeming with the sound of chirping birds and chugging tractors, was torn apart at the seams. Situated dangerously close to the 38th parallel, they became easy targets for the horrors of war.
Min Jeong-ja, the fifth child, speak of a family shattered, a brother kidnapped, and a life forever changed. "Our peaceful days were shattered on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded the South," Min Young-jae recalled as her older sister nodded in agreement.
Countless children died during the war. Min Jeong-ja remembers hiding among the mountains, coming face-to-face with North Korean soldiers lining up people in barley fields and executing them. Her family lost their second-eldest son, and their father developed a panic disorder, plunging the family into further despair.
Despite the pain and heartache, the Min family clung to hope, keeping the rusting doors of their tile-roofed house open in anticipation of Young-sun's return. They took part in annual reunions organized by the governments of both Koreas, but these hopes were dashed when the reunions were put on hold in 2018, and the facilities built for the purpose were dismantled.
In the ensuing years, the siblings grew up, formed their own families, and even saw the beloved Korean War veterans pass away without any trace of their stolen brother. Yet, they never gave up hope, singing his favorite song, "Thinking of My Brother," a children's ditty about a longed-for sibling who never returned.
"My brother Young-sun, it's already been 75 years," Min Young-jae said, tears welling in her eyes as she looked into a camera. "It's been a long time since we were separated, but I would be so grateful if you're alive. And if you're not, I still would love to meet your children. I want to share the love of family, remembering the happy days of the past... I love you, thank you."
Between 2000 and 2018, 21 official reunions between the two Koreas occurred, providing families like the Mins a glimmer of hope. However, since 2018, these touching moments have ceased entirely. The dismantling of facilities like the Inter-Korean Family Reunions Center at Mount Kumgang signifies that reunions might not resume anytime soon.
Though officially, reunions have been halted due to heightened political tensions and North Korea's insistence on isolation, the Min family persists in their search for their long-lost brother. Amidst the backdrop of strife, their story stands as a testament to the enduring power of hope and love.
The Min family's heartache has transcended the Korean peninsula, echoing in the world's general news as they navigate politics, war-and-conflicts, and the ongoing division of Asia. Today, remnants of their hope stand in the form of stories shared across Asia and the world, a testament of a love that spans the 38th parallel and reaches beyond boundaries.
