Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Korean War hero finally returned to his family after 68 years

MND and MPVA held an event celebrating the repatriation of the late Staff Sergeant Kim Hong-jo, delivering his ID notification, consolation plaque, and keepsakes to the bereaved

A hero who died defending our country during the Korean War was finally returned home after 68 years.The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held an event to celebrate the repatriation of the remains of the late Staff Sergeant Kim Hong-jo in his family's home in Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, on November 22.

This event to repatriate the patriot hero was the culmination of an effort find soldiers killed in battle for the country, whose remains were not retrieved and were left buried in unknown hills, and return them to their families.

Many people attended the event, including 15 bereaved families, Minister of MPVA Park Sam-duck, Director of MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification Huh Uk-gu, Governor of Ulju, the Chairman of the township council, commanding officers of regional corps, and 10 Veterans' organizations including Korea Disabled Veterans Organization.

The government had the Minister of MPVA organize the repatriation event separately from the one for the late Ranger Kim Young-in last month, to treat the remains with respect and improve the dignity of the event.

The event proceeded with an explanation of how the late Staff Sergeant Kim Hong-jo entered into the war, the process through which the excavation of remains and identification took place, and the delivery of ID and the delivery of 'Chest of Memorial Spirit' containing a consolation plaque and his keepsakes.

Minister of MPVA Park offered words of consolation to the bereaved, saying "I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the late Staff Sergeant Kim Hong-jo, a hero who died while protecting the country. I hope he now lies at rest in the comfort of his family."The daughter of the late Staff Sergeant said, "I appreciate that the KIA Recovery and Identification Program was able to find my father. Thank God his remains could be recovered before my mother passes away.

"The late Staff Sergeant Kim Hong-jo belonged to the Eighth Regiment, Seventh Devision, and entered the Korean War. During the 2nd counterattack operations of the UN Forces in Feb. - Mar. 1951, he is presumed to have died in the Soksari-Hajinburi Battle, around Myeonon-ri, Pyeongchang-gun, Ganwon-do. His remains were found in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, in May 2011, and will be buried in the Daejeon National Cemetery after discussion with his family.

MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification has been expanding its personnel and equipment to bring the heroes of the Korean War home as soon as possible. The agency also plans to improve its operations by applying various testing methodologies, as well as expanding DNA sampling from the bereaved to increase identification of the excavated remains.

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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