Kathmandu— Kang Myung Sook has lived with the ache of separation for 75 years. In 1945, as Korea was divided along the 38th parallel by American colonels, she lost contact with her brother in the North. Now 87, Kang resides in South Korea just miles from the border, haunted by a brief reunion in 2002 and the uncertainty of ever seeing him again. Her story, alongside that of Kim Kang-woo – a defector who twice risked his life to rescue his mother from North Korea – illustrates the enduring human cost of a peninsula cleaved in two by political geography and an unresolved conflict.

The Arbitrary Line

The division of Korea began with a hasty decision made in August 1945. As Japan’s colonial rule ended, American colonels Dean Rusk and Charles “Tic” Bonesteel III were tasked with dividing the peninsula between Soviet and US occupation zones. They chose the 38th parallel largely because it conveniently bisected the country and kept Seoul under American control. Neither colonel had extensive knowledge of Korea, and in his memoirs, Rusk admitted the decision was accepted “without much haggling—and, surprisingly, so did the Soviets.”

The initial intent was a temporary arrangement, with plans for an international trusteeship to prepare Korea for independence as a unified nation. However, Cold War tensions quickly derailed this plan, leading to the establishment of rival governments – a Soviet-aligned North under Kim Il Sung and a US-aligned South under Syngman Rhee – both declared in 1948. The “temporary” line solidified into a heavily fortified border.

The Korean War erupted in June 1950 when North Korean forces crossed the parallel, initiating three years of brutal conflict that swept across the peninsula. Millions were displaced as refugee columns fled in both directions, and Kang lost contact with her brother amidst the chaos.

A Fleeting Reunion

Kang’s brief reunion with her brother in 2002 offered a glimmer of hope but ultimately deepened her sorrow. As part of a limited inter-Korean reunion program launched after a period of diplomatic thaw, she traveled to North Korea with her sister and younger brother. The meeting took place at the Mount Kumgang Resort, surrounded by hundreds of other families attempting to reconnect after decades of separation.

“My brother called out from the window of the moving bus, telling me to take care of myself,” Kang recalled. “We were all crying — it was chaotic. And then we never saw each other again.” The reunions were heavily monitored by both governments, and participants were given limited time to reconnect. Kang learned her brother had named his daughter after her – a poignant gesture that underscored the enduring bond despite the political divide.

Defecting for Family

Kim Kang-woo’s story represents a new generation grappling with the consequences of division. After escaping North Korea in 2016, he vowed to bring his mother to safety. Driven by guilt over leaving her behind and inspired by South Korean dramas that depicted a different life, Kim returned to the North twice – illegally crossing the border each time – to convince his mother to defect.

His second attempt proved successful, but not without immense risk. After successfully bringing his mother across the border, he was arrested for illegal entry into North Korea and sentenced to jail. However, a judge recognized his remorse and reduced his sentence, allowing him to be reunited with his mother upon his release.

A Border More Fortified Than Ever

Despite these individual stories of resilience, the prospects for reunification remain bleak. During the pandemic, North Korea significantly strengthened its borders, adding layers of fencing and surveillance. Inter-Korean relations are currently at a low point, with no family reunions having taken place since 2018. The number of North Koreans defecting to the South has plummeted in recent years.

Kim now works as an air conditioning repairman while pursuing a degree in political science, hoping to contribute to future reconciliation efforts. Kang continues to wait, clinging to the hope that she might see her brother one last time. Her granddaughter, Lina, shares this desire and dreams of connecting with family they have never met.

Both families remain separated by an increasingly fortified border, but their stories highlight the enduring human connections that transcend political boundaries and the persistent longing for reunification.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.