‘The Father’ Hero of National Defense Reunited After 67 Years

A spoon labeled 'Kim Jin,' believed to be the belongings of Corporal Kim

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] On the 3rd, Kim Daerak (69) shed endless tears. It was because he met his father, who died in the Korean War, after 67 years. Kim's father, the late Corporal Kim Jin-gu, was born on February 20, 1928, in Daejeon-ri, Songra-myeon, Yeongil-gun, Gyeongbuk, as the youngest of four sons and four daughters.

He met and married his wife, Lee Bun-ae (90), when he was 21 years old, and they had a son. Happiness was short-lived. When their son Kim was three years old, the Korean War broke out, and he had to leave his family behind to go to the battlefield. The late Corporal Kim participated in the war as a member of the 31st Regiment, 2nd Division, and died in the 4th Battle of Hwaseolmori Hill on July 13, 1953. In this battle alone, 212 South Korean soldiers died.

Unaware of this fact, his wife Lee and son Kim waited for the father for 66 years and attended an autumn event hosted by the Seoul National Cemetery last year. At that time, they participated in the genetic sample collection for bereaved families conducted by the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Excavation and Identification Team (hereafter referred to as the National Remains Team). This participation became a decisive opportunity to find their father.

In March of this year, the National Remains Team discovered the remains of four soldiers, including Corporal Kim, who died at Hwaseolmori Hill. All the remains belonged to members of the 31st Regiment, 2nd Division, who died just two weeks before the armistice agreement. At the excavation site, the team uncovered numerous personal effects that accompanied the deceased until their last moments, such as spoons, canteens, dog tags, and rank insignia. Among the items, a spoon inscribed with "Kim Jin," believed to belong to Corporal Kim, was also found.

Son Kim said, "My mother could not believe that my father had died in the war and suffered in pain for many years. While I feel glad that his identity has been confirmed, recalling the past years brings complex emotions and tears."

On the 3rd, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the National Remains Team held the "Return of the National Heroes" event at the Chung-hon Tower in Apsan, Suseong-gu, Daegu City.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.