Dozens of elderly South Koreans said a tearful farewell to long-lost relatives in North Korea as the first stage of an emotional reunion programme ended today.<br/> Most of the 97 South Koreans who said goodbye had not seen their loved ones since the 1950-53 war that left tens of thousands of families separated by minefields and barbed wire. The reunions began on Saturday after the North agreed to restart the humanitarian programme following a lapse of two years.<br/> Given the huge waiting list for the programme, however, many of the 97 elderly South Koreans said goodbye for the last time. The group included eight aged in their 90s and 52 octogenarians. North Korea traced 240 relatives who were fit enough to attend the reunion. In the second stage of the event, from tomorrow through Thursday, 99 North Koreans will be reunited at Mount Kumgang with 449 relatives living in the South.