Families separated by the Korean War were dealt another blow when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that unification with South Korea is “impossible,” a declaration that will likely make reuniting people on both sides of the peninsula even more difficult.

“Separated families will be perceived as nationals of an enemy country” now that North Korea has thoroughly identified South Korea as its foremost enemy, Cho Han-bum, a researcher at KINU, told NK News.

The policy change comes as inter-Korean relations have fallen to new lows in recent years, with no exchangesbetween the two sides since Yoon