http:/

2. As the D.P.R.K.
(Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea or
North Korea) outpaces
South Korea (R.O.K.
or Republic of Korea) in
economic development,
it calls for economic
and cultural exchanges
with the South, including
proposals regarding
divided families.

3. South Korea
begins to catch up
to the D.P.R.K.
in economic
development.

4. Red Cross talks regarding divided families end
without agreement.

5. Koreans begin immigrating to the United States in large
numbers, becoming one of the top five countries of origin of
immigrants to the United States. After the passage of the
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, abolishing quotas on the
number of Asians allowed to enter the United States.

6. KBS (Korean
Broadcasting System)
hosts a ‘Campaign to
Reunite Ten Million
Divided
Families’ telethon
that attracts millions
looking for their
divided families, but
sadly only within South
Korea,
due to the D.P.R.K.’s
non-participation.
Still, after the 95
minute program was
extended to 453 hours
and 45 minutes due to
overwhelming
response, 10,000 out of
109,000 applicants
were reunited.

7. Choong Lim Chun, a Canadian,
begins to reunite divided families,
including Korean Americans,
after receiving a letter and picture
of his older sister in 1979 from a
security guard for North Korea’s
Olympic team, while working as a
reporter for the New Korea Times.
Although Korean Americans initiate
contact, North Koreans seek their
relatives as well by advertising in
North Korean media and later,
applying to meet them. After his
death in 1995, his wife Soon Young
continues his work.

8. Three “Golden Years”: Korean Americans, e.g. Soo Gyung
Lim, publicly advocate for reunification and reunions. Travel to
the North is abundant.

9. “Dark Times”:
North Korea ends
Korean
American visits
due to complaints
from its general
populace about
preferential
treatment given to
the family
members of Korean
Americans.