The border between North and South Korea remains highly armed and tense 50 years after the start of the bitter war that divided the peninsula. In recent months, however, a series of historic firsts is fueling hopes that the two enemies may one day fully reconcile and reclaim their shared identity going back 5,000 years.

In August, dozens of relatives who have had no communication since the war crossed the border for four-day reunions. More temporary reunions are scheduled for other separated families. The two Koreas also recently agreed to reconnect a cross-border railroad line, conducted ministerial level talks and held a meeting of defense chiefs. This new era in Korean political relations was launched by an unprecedented summit in June between the leaders of the two countries.