North Korea refuses South's terms for family reunions, says report

SEOUL, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- North and South Korean negotiators have been locked in marathon talks regarding the reunion of separated families for two days -- but negotiations have become protracted due to disagreement over dates.

South Korean Red Cross chief delegate Lee Deok-haeng and his North Korean counterpart Pak Yong Il began the meeting Monday morning with a handshake and a smile, Yonhap reported, but the atmosphere of congeniality was replaced by tense negotiations.

The talks lasted more than 21 hours -- the first time a meeting pertaining to North-South family reunions have required delegates to work through the early morning hours, South Korean outlet News 1 reported.

Seoul had said it wanted to hold the family reunions -- involving 100 people from each side -- prior to Pyongyang's Oct. 10 anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, but the North had said "no," according to sources. Seoul is apprehensive of North Korean activities including a possible rocket launch during the anniversary period that could derail reunion plans.

During the talks, North Korea's delegate reportedly said the country would be busy preparing for major events around the 70th anniversary, and had requested the reunion be held after Oct. 10.

In a separate statement -- issued as talks took place on the South side of the truce village of Panmunjom -- Pyongyang had demanded the removal of U.S. troops from the Korean peninsula and warned of reignited tensions.

Other terms from Seoul were under negotiation, according to South Korea, including a request to allow South Korean nationals to visit their North Korean hometowns. North Korea refused the request, citing "administrative difficulties."