S. Korea, U.S. sign MOU to expand cooperation on Korean War veterans affairs

SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean veterans ministry is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a U.S. Defense Department agency to bolster collaboration on matters concerning U.S. service members who took part in the 1950-53 Korean War, officials disclosed on Friday. The memorandum is scheduled to be inked at the U.S. Department of Defense's Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Omaha, local time on Friday, as part of the effort to fortify cooperation on veterans affairs.

Under the terms of the MOU, both parties will work towards promoting exchange programs for the families of U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict, organize commemorative events, and enhance cooperation via information sharing and other joint initiatives. The signing event is expected to draw approximately 500 attendees, including Vice Veterans Minister Kang Yun-jin, as well as family members of prisoners of war and service members who remain missing in action.

According to the ministry, over 1.78 million U.S. troops served during the Korean War, with 36,574 losing their lives in action and 7,359 remaining unaccounted for.