8 heart-wrenching moments from Korean family reunions

MANILA, Philippines – A group of North and South Korean families held a final farewell Saturday, February 22, after being briefly reunited for the first time since the 1950-53 Korean War.

Knowing they will almost certainly never be together again, the families were allowed to meet one last time for an hour before parting ways on the third and last day of their emotionally-charged reunions. Many of the participants broke down and sobbed as they clung to each other. (READ: South Koreans head for bittersweet family reunion in North)

Here are some photos from the joyful reunions tempered by the pain of the inevitable – and this time permanent – separation at the end.

– with reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com