The government and Korea Telecom will launch a joint task force for online video reunions of separated families in the two Koreas.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il have agreed on the online reunions, with the first to come on Liberation Day on August 15th.

The event will utilize a high-tech communications system involving videoconference stations in Seoul and Pyongyang and connection through broadband or satellite networks.

The project aims to reunite online separated relatives who are elderly or disabled or who do not have the time nor money to meet in person.

The ministry has also launched a project to create video messages by separated families with Korea Telecom.