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Among the many humanitarian issues arising from the tragic division of the Korean nation, the most pressing matter may be that of the separated families. However, all humanitarian cooperation between the two Koreas has been suspended. In December 2023, North Korea denied the concept of the one Korean nation by declaring “hostile two-state relationship” and “abandonment of unification agenda”. Along with the prolonged deterioration of inter-Korean relations, the international security environment is also unstable. Inaugurated amidst rising tensions both domestic and international, the Lee Jae-Myung administration has declared to “expedite the restoration of suspended inter-Korean communication channels”, in order to rebuild peace in the Korean Peninsula. The first step for inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation could be the re of separated families. This article proposes tasks and direction for the Lee administration’s policy on separated families, based on examination of previous policies on separated families, abductees, detainees, and Korean War prisoners.