Koreas Agree on Reunions, Spy Hand-Overs; High-Tech Project Planned

SEOUL —  In the most significant step to implement a summit agreement, North and South Korea signed a deal Friday to reunite aging relatives and repatriate dozens of North Korean spies held in the South.

In another sign of easing tensions, North Korea asked South Korea’s Hyundai conglomerate to build a high-tech district of computer ventures near a scenic mountain on the Communist country’s east coast, company officials said Friday.

Hyundai said it agreed to build a North Korean version of Silicon Valley near Mt. Kumgang--an apparent move to end North Korea’s decades of isolation and catch up with the rest of the word in computer technology.

Under the reunion deal, each country will send 100 family members--separated by the Korean War--to the other side Aug. 15 for four-day visits with relatives they have not seen since the 1950-53 conflict.

The deal, signed at a North Korean mountain resort by Red Cross officials from both sides, also called for South Korea to return in early September all Northern spies who want to go home.

The deal came after four days of negotiations and was the most significant move that the nations have taken to implement agreements their leaders struck during a historic summit June 13-15.

The summit sought to ease hostilities on the Korean peninsula, and reuniting separated families has been the most emotional among a host of thorny issues dividing the two Koreas.

Since the states fought the Korean War, their borders have been sealed and heavily fortified. There is no mail, telephone or other direct means of communications between the countries.

Also Friday, the two Koreas agreed to start talks, immediately after the repatriation of Northern spies, on establishing a special zone where separated families can meet their relatives regularly.

South Korean Unification Minister Park Jae Kyu said 83 convicted North Korean spies were in South Korea, 59 of whom had families and wanted to go home to the North. The spies were released after serving long prison terms, but they cannot leave the country without government approval.

On Thursday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il expressed interest in the high-tech project when he met with Hyundai founder Chung Ju Yung in North Korea’s east coast city of Wonsan, Hyundai officials said.