Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Patriotic brothers who fought in the Korean War, Ssg. Heo Chang-ho and Ssg. Heo Chang-sik, are now laid to rest together in Jeju National Cemetery

- The brothers were reunited after 73 years; per their bereaved families' request, they were laid to rest in their hometown in Jeju Island
- The elder brother, Heo Chang-ho, was killed in action during an operation to combat armed North Korean guerrilla in the Honam area. His remains were collected after the war and initially laid to rest in a military cemetery 
- The younger brother, Chang-sik, was killed in action in a battle near Seoraksan Mountain. His remains were excavated in 2011 at Jeohangnyeong in Inje, and identified this year

The patriotic brothers Staff Sergeants Heo Chang-ho (elder) and Chang-sik (younger) who fought together in the Korean War and were killed in action fighting against the North Korean armed forces, met as souls after 73 years and were laid to rest side by side in the Jeju National Cemetery.
   ◦ On the morning of June 28, the Defense Ministry held a solemn burial ceremony for Staff Sergeants Heo Chang-ho and Chang-sik in the Jeju National Cemetery, organized by Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul, with the bereaved families, military leaders, Jeju Administrative Vice Governor, Kim Seong-jung, the Director of Jeju Regional Office of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and veterans organizations attending.
   ◦ The burial ceremony, named “Patriotic Brothers,” was held to commemorate their sacrifices and dedication. In addition, a memorial stone engraved with a tribute written by a nephew of the deceased, as well as the brothers’ battle route, will be installed in front of their tombstones. This will ensure that their noble spirits are remembered by all citizens forever.
   ◦ The ceremony proceeded in the following order: a salute to the deceased, progress reporting, a commemoration speech, religious ceremonies, the laying of flowers and burning of incense, a torch relay for their souls, lowering the coffins and covering them with dirt, and a volley of rifles followed by silent tribute.

Per their bereaved families' request, the burial ceremony, with full military honors, took place on Jeju Island, the brothers’ hometown. This is the first interment of brothers killed in action during the Korean War in the Jeju National Cemetery, and it marks the fourth creation of war grave for patriotic brothers killed in action during the Korean War in a national cemetery, following the recent burial of brothers Privates Kim Bong-hak and Seong-hak.

The elder brother, Ssg. Heo Chang-ho, was born in 1931. He enlisted in the Army 5th Training Corps on Jeju Island in September 1950, right after the outbreak of the Korean War, and was assigned to the 11th Infantry Division. In January 1951, he was killed in action at age 19 during an operation to combat armed North Korean guerrillas in the Honam area, where the 11th Division aimed to eradicate the red guerillas disturbing the rear in the Sunchang region of Jeollabuk-do. His remains were collected shortly after the war and initially were laid to rest in a Jeju military cemetery in 1958.

The younger brother, Ssg. Heo Chang-sik, was born in 1933. He followed in his brother's footsteps, joining the Jeju 5th Training Corps the same month and being assigned to the 11th Division. Chang-sik participated in an operation an operation against North Korean guerrillas in the Honam area in Yeongam, Jeollanam-do. Later, mourning his brother’s loss, he relocated to Yangyang, Gangwon-do. En route to the east coast in May 1951, he was killed in action at just 18 years old in a battle near Seoraksan Mountain while fighting against the 6th NKPA Division in Jeohangnyeong, Inje, Gangwon-do.

In 2011, more than 60 years later, MAKRI and 100 soldiers of the 12th Infantry Division excavated Chang-sik's remains, at the summit of Jeohangnyeong, a rugged mountainous peak. A decade later, in April 2021, the youngest brother, Heo Chang-hwa (age 88), hoping to find the remains of his other older brother, visited the West Seogwipo Public Health Center in Jeju Island to participate in genetic sampling. After a precise comparison and analysis of the genetic samples from the remains and Heo Chang-hwa, the final results identified the late Ssg. Heo Chang-sik.

Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul said, "Seventy-three years after the brothers fought for the country's freedom and prosperity, they have been reunited in their Jeju hometown. To honor their brotherhood and noble sacrifice, we’ve laid them to rest side by side."

The youngest brother, Heo Chang-hwa, grateful to have his brothers together in one place, said, "I believe they can now rest in their hometown, side by side. I feel very fortunate to see them laid to rest peacefully before I die, and I am deeply grateful to everyone for their efforts."