GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: In North Korea there were cheers as prisoners held in South Korean prisons since the Korean War returned home. In South Korea, tears were shed for loved ones still in prison in the North. Sohn Jie-Ae has the story for us.</s>SOHN JIE-AE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): One by one, 63 North Koreans stepped through the heavily fortified border zone and returned home. Smiles and tears of joy as the men, most in their late 60s or 70s, returned. Some by wheelchair, others in stretchers, all were greeted by North Korean medical personnel. They have spent from 13 to 45 years in prison, on such convictions as spying and refusing to renounce communism. On arrival, they were welcomed home by a group of children and well-wishers. The men's repatriation was an agreement reached between leaders of South and North Korea at a summit in June. (on camera): Even as the North Koreans were about to end their long way to go home, there were some in the South that were continuing to fight their own battles. (voice-over): "Let's go to the North," they shout. "Let's find our fathers." Families of South Korean POWs from the Korean war, who are believed to be still alive in the North, and families of civilians, mostly fishermen, who are believed to be held in the North. One of them, Chen Young (ph), wept as the North Koreans passed her by on their way home. "Father, I'm sorry," she says. "I'm sorry I'm not an important enough person to visit you or to bring you home." Her father was on a fishing boat taken into North Korean custody 13 years ago. She has not heard from him since. Like Chen, many here said the only true sign of reconciliation would be repatriation done both ways. Sohn Jie-Ae, CNN, Munsan, South Korea.
North Korean POWs Released After Years of Incarceration