A 6·25 War Veteran Who Died Leaving Behind a Newborn Daughter
[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The identity of the remains of a soldier who died in the Korean War after leaving behind a daughter less than a month old has been confirmed. The remains belong to the late Private Im Ho-dae of the Republic of Korea Army's 6th Division.
According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 26th, Private Im's remains were excavated in May 2010 in Seo-oji-ri, Hanam-myeon, Hwacheon, Gangwon Province, mixed with the remains of three other soldiers.
Born in 1924 in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, the late soldier participated in the Korean War as a member of the 6th Division of the Republic of Korea Army, leaving behind a daughter less than a month old at the outbreak of the war. He was killed in action between October 4 and 8, 1950, during the Chuncheon-Hwacheon advance battle at Hill 279 in Seo-oji-ri. The Chuncheon-Hwacheon advance was an operation that broke through the 38th parallel in the central region, involving battles as the ROK forces advanced northward from the Nakdong River defense line in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk, through Chuncheon and Hwacheon.
The Ministry of National Defense's Remains Excavation and Identification Team excavated the remains in Seo-oji-ri in 2010 based on historical battle records of the area, recovering partial remains such as clavicle, humerus, and radius bones, along with personal effects including a grenade ring and a toothbrush.
While verifying DNA information, the team compared and analyzed the data with that of Private Im's family (his daughter), from whom samples were collected in 2009, ultimately confirming the identity of the late soldier.
His daughter, Im Hyeong-deok (72), said, "I had resigned myself to the situation, but hearing that the remains were found feels like a miracle I never dreamed of," and expressed her deep gratitude.
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The Ministry of National Defense plans to hold a 'Heroic Return Ceremony' for Private Im in consultation with the bereaved family, followed by interment at the National Cemetery. Since the excavation project for Korean War fallen soldiers began in April 2000, a total of 180 soldiers' identities have been confirmed. Notably, this year marks the highest number ever, with 23 soldiers identified.
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