A/HRC/10/18 page 17 65. Of particular interest at the national level is the policy of the current administration of the Republic of Korea towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The authorities of the Republic of Korea propound a policy of “mutual benefits and common prosperity”, the humanitarian component of which relates to various human rights concerns with regard to the Democratic People’s Republic. The policy aims to resolve the issue of families separated between the two States during the Korean war (1950-53); to address the question of prisoners of war of the Republic of Korea held by the Democratic People’s Republic and missing persons and abductees; to approach the issue of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea as a matter of universal value and to press for substantial improvements there; and to provide humanitarian aid to the Democratic People’s Republic in a spirit of humanitarianism. Other issues deserving attention include the possibility of family reunions between those who have arrived in the Republic of Korea and those left behind in other countries, and the need to address the plight of children of nationals of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea married to nationals of other countries, who live in hiding and are, in effect, stateless. 66. In past administrations, some issues, such as the question of family reunions and the consequences of the war, were dealt with through inter-Korean ministerial dialogues and the cooperation of the Red Cross. Currently, in practical terms, relations between the two States are in a transitional period. Interestingly, at the time of the Special Rapporteur’s visit to the Republic of Korea, military talks between the two States at the technical level were being held with a view to improving communications between them. 67. With regard to humanitarian aid, 50,000 tons of corn have been offered by the Republic of Korea to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea is waiting for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to respond to the former’s request for dialogue on the matter. 68. Since the 1990s, the Republic of Korea has offered shelter to nearly 15,000 people from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In 2007 alone, some 2,500 people arrived in the Republic of Korea. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur visited Hanawon, a Government-supported facility near Seoul that houses such people. The facility helps settlers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea adapt to their new environment. He also interviewed a number of new arrivals to learn of their experiences in their country of origin, the harsh conditions there and their precarious journey to the Republic of Korea. The majority of current arrivals are women, most of whom were smuggled out of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or other countries by “brokers” as part of the cross-border process that ultimately leads them to the final country of settlement. 69. A number of the above-mentioned people are victims of multiple abuses, including torture and other forms of violence. Their psychological scars, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, are deep. For this reason, they need long-term support for social recovery and reintegration. On a welcome note, Hanawon now provides the services of psychologists and psychiatrists to help those in need. 70. The Special Rapporteur also visited the Hangyoreh middle high school near Hanawon, a school for adolescents from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including a number of young persons in difficulties, such as those arriving in the Republic of Korea without their parents. He was particularly impressed with the open and flexible nature of the school, which