A Hero Who Died in Battle Right After Marriage... Returning to Family After 70 Years

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu]A 'hidden hero' who died in action after joining the Korean War immediately after getting married is returning. Thanks to the collection of samples from the bereaved family, the remains buried in the forest have been able to return to the family’s embrace after about 70 years.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Excavation and Identification Team (hereafter the National Identification Team) announced that it will hold a 'Return Ceremony of the National Defense Hero' for the late Sergeant Second Class Park Dong-ji, whose identity was confirmed as the 181st case, at the family home in Dongpae-dong, Paju, Gyeonggi Province. During the ceremony, the National Identification Team plans to present the family with an identity confirmation notice, a National Defense Hero return plaque, and a 'Spirit of National Defense Box' containing personal effects.

Born in 1928, Sergeant Second Class Park was the eldest son among four brothers and four sisters and got married at the age of twenty. However, as soon as he started a family, he left his wife behind and went to fight. He is presumed to have died in action during the Northern Suwon Battle (July 3?4, 1950) while serving in the 12th Regiment of the 1st Division of the Republic of Korea Army.

Park’s remains were recovered nine years ago in 2012 based on a tip from a citizen. At the excavation site, a 60mm mortar shell and grenades were found together, along with some remains from the left femur area, the sole of a combat boot, a buckle, and an M1 bullet, all personal effects of the deceased. However, due to limitations in genetic analysis technology at the time, his identity could not be confirmed until this year, when re-examination finally verified that the remains belonged to Sergeant Second Class Park.

The delayed identification was possible because the bereaved family actively participated in providing genetic samples. According to the National Identification Team, family members including the deceased’s younger brother and nephew participated in genetic sample collection three times?in 2006, 2013, and this year.

Unfortunately, it is known that the deceased’s wife passed away just two years ago at the age of 92, adding to the sorrow. During her lifetime, she reportedly lived with the hope that her husband might return, hanging a photo of him in his military uniform and praying while looking at it every day.

Park’s younger brother, Park Hee-man (69), said, "If we had found my brother’s remains a little sooner, we could have eased my sister-in-law’s sorrow who waited for her husband’s return. It is very sad and chokes me up."

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