The Remains Returned After 72 Years... To the Arms of an Only Son

Identification of the Late Sergeant Second Class No Gwan-su

A soldier who died at the young age of 22 during the Korean War, leaving behind a wife pregnant with their only son, has returned to his family after 72 years.

The Ministry of National Defense's Remains Recovery and Identification Team (hereinafter referred to as the KND Team) announced on the 23rd that the identity of the remains of a Korean War soldier excavated in May 2018 from Baekseonsan Hill 1142 in Songhyeon-ri, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon Province, was confirmed as the late Corporal No Gwansoo (currently Sergeant) of the Republic of Korea Army's 8th Division.

Corporal No's remains were recovered by soldiers of the Army's 21st Division while excavating the summit area of Baekseonsan Hill 1142, a fierce battleground during the Korean War. Although no personal effects were found with the remains, making identification impossible until now, the family relationship was confirmed through precise genetic comparison analysis thanks to No Wongeun, the son, who participated in DNA sample collection with the hope of finding his father's remains. This is the 213th case in which the identity of remains recovered through excavation has been confirmed.

Corporal No was born in January 1929 as the eldest son among one son and four daughters in Hakgyo-myeon, Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do. Before enlisting, he farmed with his parents in his hometown and got married in 1950. In May 1951, leaving behind his wife who was pregnant with their son, he voluntarily enlisted and was assigned to the 8th Division of the Republic of Korea Army. He participated in the "Battle of Baekseoksan" near Yanggu, Gangwon Province, from September 30 to October 28 of that year and died in action on October 6.

The "Return of the National Hero Ceremony," which informs the bereaved family of the confirmed identity of the fallen soldier, will be held at the family home in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on the same day.

No Wongeun, the deceased's son, said, "My mother longed for my father all her life and waited anxiously without even locking the gate, hoping he might return. Finding his remains like this is deeply moving and feels like a dream."

Families of Korean War fallen soldiers can participate in DNA sample collection for identification up to the eighth degree of kinship. When the identity of a fallen soldier is confirmed through the provided genetic information, a reward of 10 million won is granted.

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