Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

A national hero returns home after 66 years

MND Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification holds ceremony to mark the return of Sergeant Second Class Kim Ki-bong, killed in action at Arrowhead Ridge in the Korean War

A national hero who died in the Korean War was returned to his family after 66 years. 

On October 8, the Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) held a “ceremony to mark the return of a national hero” for the late Sergeant Second Class Kim Ki-bong at the house of his son, Kim Jong-kyu (age 70), which is located in Dongbu-myeon, Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.

The ceremony is held to return the fallen who gave their lives for their country in the Korean War to the bosom of their families, by discovering those whose remains have yet to be collected and are left buried in some unknown hills and fields.

At the ceremony, Huh Wook-gu, chief of the MAKRI, delivered a “box for patriotic spirit” to the bereaved family after explaining the story of Kim’s involvement in the Korean War and the progress of excavation of the remains. The box contained a letter of identification, a memorial plaque signed by the Minister of National Defense, and articles left by Kim.

At the request of the bereaved family, Huh also delivered the certificate of the third grade (unadorned ribbon) of the “Hwarang Order of Military Merit” and Medals of Honor (Badge, Lapel Badge, and Ribbon), which were awarded in 1954.

Belonging to the 31st Regiment of the 2nd Army Division, Kim's involvement in the Korean War began on December 13, 1951. During the fourth fierce battle at the Arrowhead Ridge, which started in June 1953, he was killed in action on July 10, 1953, just ten days before the armistice agreement was signed.

The remains of the deceased were found on May 22 in complete form in the area near the Arrowhead Ridge within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, and finally returned to his country and family 66 years after his death.

Following consultation with the bereaved family, the remains of Sergeant Second Class Kim Ki-bong have been scheduled to be buried in the Daejeon National Cemetery.

“My father survived even the compulsory manpower draft during the Japanese occupation, but it is a pity that his remains were buried in the DMZ and had to wait 66 years to be returned home because of our national division. I thank the MAKRI for finding the remains of my father, and believe there will be good news for other bereaved families,” the son said. 

Chief Huh said, “I am pleased to achieve the 134th identification since shovels first entered the ground to excavate remains in April 2000,” adding “I ask the bereaved families to take an active interest and join in registering DNA samples so that the some 10,000 remains of the fallen who have yet to be identified can be returned to the bosoms of their families as soon as possible.

”The ministry plans to redouble its efforts to identify those who were killed in action in the Korean War, by expanding the task force team to obtain more DNA samples from the bereaved families and offering a reward system to induce the bereaved families to register DNA samples. 

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

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