More than 500 South Koreans will soon visit North Korea for family reunions between separated families.

According to a Unification Ministry official in Seoul, some 440 people have expressed their intent to participate in the first round of family reunions at the reunion center at the Mount Geumgang resort.

The official said that in the second round of reunions, a total of some 140 South Koreans are expected to visit North Korea. They include the Koreans separated from their families in the North and South Korean family members who will assist their elderly relatives during the visit.

The ministry added that currently a total of 129 officials of South Korea’s Hyundai Asan are at Geumgang to prepare for the reunions. It expects that number to increase to more than 200 during the reunions.

The first round of reunions will be held for three days beginning Saturday. The second round will begin November third.