Reunions of families in the North and South separated by the Korean War – as well as further humanitarian cooperation – will not take place until the South returns 13 “abducted” defectors to the North, state-run outlet DPRK Today reported on Monday.

State media said that the 12 female workers involved in a mass-defection to South Korea in April last year and Kim Ryon Hui – who wishes to return to her homeland after mistakenly going to South Korea in 2011 – should be returned to the North.

“Until this problem is solved, any humanitarian cooperation projects, including family reunions…