US, South Korea host historic joint ceremony to repatriate remains of Korean War fallen heroes

Delegates from the US and South Korea during the historic joint repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on September 22, 2021. (Photo courtesy US Department of Defense)


By Alfred Acenas
EBC Hawaii-Pacific Bureau

PEARL HARBOR (Eagle News) – The United States and Republic of Korea conducted a first-ever joint ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Wednesday, September 22, in receiving and repatriating the remains of American and Korean servicemembers from the Korean War (1950-1953).

During the ceremony, three transfer cases were exchanged between the two countries. One transfer case contained six sets of remains repatriated to the US from the care and custody of the South Korean government. While the identifications of the said remains have not yet been finalized, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) will further assess them to confirm identification and subsequent notification of next of kin.

In turn, the Korean Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed In Action Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) received two transfer cases from the US, each containing remains recovered from the Battle of Chosin Reservoir area, representing the 68 sets repatriated back to South Korea. One of those Korean Soldiers identified had a family member personally attending the ceremony.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivers remarks during a joint US-Korea repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on September 22, 2021. (Photo courtesy US Department of Defense)

South Korean President Moon Jae-In was on hand at the solemn occasion to accept the remains on behalf of his country.

“American and Korean war heroes are finally returning home to their families after a 70-year long wait,” said President Moon in his speech. “It is an absolute privilege to be the first Korean president to host the return of the fallen heroes.”

Navy Admiral John C. Aquilino, commander US Indo-Pacific Command and senior American representative, thanked those in attendance and discussed the importance of this joint operation.

“Today, we pay tribute to all Korean War veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice, as they fought in battle to protect and defend our common values and the region,” said Aquilino. “May the enduring alliance and deep friendship between the Republic of Korea and the United States continue for generations.”

(FILE) Artifacts and personal effects on display at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) building at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. (Photo by Mio Acenas, EBC Hawaii-Pacific)

In 2019, Eagle News featured the DPAA and its enduring mission in accounting for all missing personnel from various locations worldwide and reuniting them with their families: https://youtu.be/8qEEGj5kz9E

(Eagle News Service)