Gov't launches 2nd half program to recover remains of fallen Korean War soldiers

SEOUL, August 31 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government has announced plans to launch its second half of the year operations aimed at recovering and identifying the remains of soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Defense's ongoing efforts to provide closure to the families of service members who were killed in action or remain missing.

Starting from Monday and concluding on November 27, the Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification will initiate the excavation project. The task force will consist of soldiers from 14 Army divisions and brigades, along with the 1st Marine Division. These troops will be deployed to mountainous regions across more than 20 provinces, including Gyeonggi, Gangwon, South Chungcheong, North Jeolla, and North Gyeongsang.

The focus of the operation will be on the border areas of Paju, Cheorwon, and Gunwi, regions that were pivotal battlegrounds during the Korean War. The 5th Division, which was instrumental in the Battle of Baengma-goji, or White Horse Hill, will be actively engaged in the excavation and recovery of remains throughout the three-month period.

This battle, which occurred in October 1952, was one of the fiercest and deadliest confrontations of the war, resulting in a victory for the United Nations-led allied forces after South Korean troops successfully repelled a massive Chinese assault.

During the first-half of the excavation period, which lasted from March 9 to July 3, the agency managed to recover 77 sets of remains and over 31,000 personal belongings believed to belong to fallen soldiers.