S Korea readies for reunions amid N Korea's rocket threats

South Korea is moving on 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.

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

A nuclear test or a satellite launch would violate UN resolutions, the latter because the rocket technology needed can also be used to develop long-range missiles.
 

The Koreas agreed to hold the reunions in an accord in August to ease animosities.