A War Veteran Reunited with Family After 69 Years

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] A Republic of Korea soldier who participated in the Korean War, leaving behind his wife and two-year-old daughter, is returning to his family after 69 years. The veteran is the late Private Jeon Won-sik.

According to the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Recovery and Identification Team (hereafter the National Recovery Team) on the 17th, the late soldier was born in December 1925 in Daeseong-myeon, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, as the third child among six sons and one daughter. He lived diligently, helping with farm work from a young age, and met his wife in 1949 at the age of 24, with whom he had a daughter. In 1951, the year following the outbreak of the Korean War, he went to war, leaving behind his wife and two-year-old daughter. He served in the 10th Regiment of the 8th Division of the Republic of Korea Army and is presumed to have died in battle in February 1951 in the Gapyeong area. At that time, the 8th Division, his unit, fought fierce battles in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, about 60 km away from where the remains were discovered. It is presumed that they moved to Gapyeong after engaging Chinese forces during the January 4th retreat.

The remains of the late Private Jeon were excavated in October 2015 in the Mokdong-ri area of Buk-myeon, Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Along with the complete remains including the skull, 23 personal effects such as buttons, pins, and a comb were found. The remains were discovered thanks to a tip from a local resident who lived in Gapyeong at the time. The informant, Song Soon-mok (73), testified, "My grandfather took in two wounded soldiers during the January 4th retreat and cared for them at home, but they passed away shortly after, and I heard when I was young that they were buried near the family burial ground in a forest kiln site." Based on this tip, the National Recovery Team investigated the site and proceeded with the excavation.

Five years later, the identity was confirmed. The identification of Private Jeon is the 157th since the Korean War remains excavation project began in April 2000. Jeon's daughter, Jeon Jeong-sook (73), who will meet her father returning home after 69 years, said, "I can't believe my father has come back and feel numb. Although it doesn't feel real yet, I am very happy that my father has returned."

The National Recovery Team plans to hold a 'Hero of the Nation' return ceremony around January next year in consultation with the bereaved family. The remains will be interred at the National Cemetery.

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