South Korea prepares for family reunions with North despite Pyongyang's rocket threats

South Korea is moving ahead with preparations for reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War despite rival North Korea talking about new rocket launches and nuclear tests.

South Korean officials have hinted they will try to proceed with planned October 20-26 reunions at North Korea’s Diamond Mountain resort even if the North launches a satellite before then.

But analysts believe a dramatic provocation from the North could threaten the reunions as it would inevitably stoke military tensions on the divided peninsula.

Read more: North and South Korea to hold family reunion next month for families separated by Korean war

North Korea’s government-run Minju Joson newspaper said the US and South Korea were making “frantic efforts” to stop the North from conducting a satellite launch and a nuclear test, and said such reactions were an “unforgivable” provocation against the country’s sovereignty. The commentary, carried by the Korean Central News Agency, claimed it was justifiable for North Korea to strengthen its nuclear arsenal because it is facing military threats from its rivals.

“Unlike the issue of economic or food aid, the Seoul government will be able to carry on with the family reunions even in the face of a North Korean provocation without worrying about losing public support,” said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Dongguk University in Seoul.

“However, since the reunions will be held in North Korea, they could be threatened by escalated military tension along the border, which might follow a rocket launch,” he said.

Through its state media, North Korea has signaled that it could mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10 with a satellite launch, and earlier in the week announced the restart of atomic-fuel plants.