Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea discovers 34 sets of Korean War remains at Arrowhead Ridge in DMZ

Counted by the Ministry of National Defense, 7,009 articles and removed 61 landmines were discovered as of May 13

On May 14, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the military had discovered a total of 34 sets of remains and 7,009 articles believed to have been left by the fallen in the Korean War during excavation work at the Arrowhead Ridge site in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Gangwon Province from the 20th of April to the 13th of May.

Since last year, the ministry has continued to carry out excavation work in the areas on the South’s side, including Arrowhead Ridge, in order to proactively prepare for the resumption of the inter-Korean joint excavation of war remains.

From May 8 to May 13, the military also discovered a total of 11 bone fragments, including two ribs, 1 humerus and 1 radius on May 8, 1 shinbone and 1 fibula on May 11, 1 thighbone, 1 radius and 1 hipbone on May 12, 1 shinbone and 1 toebone on May 13. 3,583 articles, including helmets and body armour, are under investigation. 61 landmines and 913 blind shells were also safely removed.

“As we did last year, we will continue to ensure the transparency of demining work and the safety of our working personnel through verification by applying the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) to the areas where demining has been completed,” the ministry emphasized.

The ministry plans to do its best to retrieve the excavated remains with the utmost care in order to heal the scars from the Korean War and bring every last person killed in the war home to his family and nation. As well, the ministry will proactively prepare for the resumption of the joint excavation work with North Korea at any time, while making efforts to encourage North Korea to respond to the joint excavation project stipulated in the September 19 military agreement.

Stressing that national participation, such as reporting the location of remains and obtaining DNA samples from the bereaved families, is of paramount importance for the identification of the remains of the fallen in the Korean War, the ministry explained that it would work to build public support and induce the people to participate in the excavation project through a variety of programs.

Bereaved family members with questions on the location of remains or who wish to help by providing DNA samples can contact the MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification (1577-5625). A reward of up to ten million won will be given if the remains of a person killed in war are identified through the provision of DNA samples.

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