SEOUL: The rival Koreas reached a deal yesterday to resume from September reunions of families torn apart by the 1950-53 Korean War.

In another gesture that could defrost frigid ties, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said it will release four Republic of Korea (ROK) fisherman today. The four have been held since their boat drifted into DPRK waters several weeks ago.

Pyongyang contacted officials in Seoul to say it would release the fishermen and their boat at sea in a move that eases another area of tension between the two states technically still at war.