Joint Burial Ceremony Held for Two Police Officers Who Participated in the Korean War After 71 Years

Sergeant Lee Nam-ui and Choi Young-geun Killed in Action during the Samhak-ri Battle

[Photo by National Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Police Sergeants Lee Nam-ui and Choi Young-geun, who died in the Korean War, have returned to the nation's embrace after 71 years.

On the afternoon of the 28th, the National Police Agency held a joint burial ceremony at the National Daejeon Cemetery for the two police officers whose identities were confirmed through the Korean War war dead excavation project.

Sergeant Lee Nam-ui, who served at Yeongam Police Station in Jeollanam-do, and Sergeant Choi Young-geun, who served at Hwasun Police Station in Jeollanam-do, participated in the Korean War. On July 23, 1950, they died in battle while fiercely fighting to stop North Korean troops advancing along the west coast at Samhak Outpost, Samhak-ri, Myoryang-myeon, Yeonggwang-gun.

The joint burial ceremony was presided over by National Police Agency Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong, with about 50 attendees including bereaved families, the director of the National Daejeon Cemetery, and the head of the Ministry of National Defense's War Dead Excavation and Identification Team. The ceremony proceeded solemnly with a progress report, religious rites, flower offering and incense burning, and escorting of the remains.

The bereaved families said, "We were saddened that the remains could not be found until now, but it feels like a miracle has happened. We are extremely happy and proud of our father who devoted himself to the country." They added, "We hope the government will continue to pay attention to honoring war dead and others in the future."

The Military History Research Institute of the Ministry of National Defense identified 3,131 police officers killed and 6,760 wounded during the Korean War in 2005. To honor the spirits of fallen and deceased police officers, the National Police Agency holds a 'Fallen and Deceased Police Officers Memorial Ceremony' every June 6 on Memorial Day at the Police Memorial Park, and operates a 'Police Memorial Week' during the third week of October every year.

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