The Remains with a Penetrated Helmet Are of 'Late Corporal Jo Eungseong'

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] The remains found lying face down on the ground at Baengmagoji in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) have been identified as those of the late Corporal Jo Eung-seong, a Korean War casualty. At the time, only the upper body was recovered, along with personal belongings presumed to be his, including a fountain pen, a ring, and a spoon, as well as ammunition. Notably, the helmet and skull showed clear perforation marks, which are presumed to be the cause of death.

On the 17th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that after investigating the records of Baengmagoji war casualties related to the remains excavated on October 28 last year in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, they located his daughter, Jo Young-ja, and confirmed the parent-child relationship through genetic analysis.

Born in 1928 in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, the late soldier enlisted in May 1952 at the 1st Training Center in Jeju Island, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters when the war broke out while he was farming. He belonged to the 30th Regiment of the 9th Division and is presumed to have died in October 1952 during defensive operations against a large-scale offensive by Chinese forces at Baengmagoji.

The Battle of Baengmagoji was a fierce engagement during the Korean War in the Cheorwon area, where the 9th Division of the Republic of Korea Army fought the Chinese forces in 12 clashes, with control of the hill changing hands seven times. When the Ministry of National Defense’s Remains Excavation and Identification Team excavated the site last October, the remains were found lying face down on the floor of a personal foxhole.

Jo Young-ja, the daughter, recalled upon hearing the news of her father’s identification, "One day, my father bought squid, and we ate it deliciously, but I cannot forget that moment because it felt like he was saying goodbye to us." The Ministry of National Defense relayed this statement.

The Ministry of National Defense plans to hold a 'Return Ceremony for the National Hero' for the late soldier at the family home in Incheon on the same day.

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