Yoon Ensures Return of Korean War Fallen Soldiers' Remains... Orders 'Highest Honors' from First Step in Homeland

Yoon "73 Years Have Passed, but Honored to Serve the Homeland"
From Air Force Escort to State-Level Salute and Weather Reception
"Republic of Korea Stands on Sacrifices Against Communist Totalitarianism"

President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over the first repatriation ceremony of the remains of fallen Republic of Korea soldiers from the Korean War since the government took office on the 26th. Following the president's determination that "we will make every effort until the end so that the patriotic heroes who dedicated themselves to the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea can return to their families," a total of seven sets of remains were brought back to the homeland.

That night at Seoul Airport, President Yoon personally welcomed the remains and ordered the highest military honors, including an Air Force F-35A escort, a state-level gun salute, and a weather reception. In particular, the remains of the late Private Choi Im-rak, whose identity was confirmed, were accompanied by his nephew, Navy Sergeant Choi Ho-jong, adding special significance as he personally escorted his great uncle.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is receiving the remains of the Republic of Korea soldiers who died in the Korean War, which arrived at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 26th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The seven sets of remains repatriated were those recovered by the U.S. military during and after the Korean War and stored in Hawaii, remains excavated by North Korea from 1990 to 1994 in Jangjin, South Hamgyong Province, and Geumhwa, South Pyongan Province, and returned to the U.S. (208 boxes in 1995 and 55 boxes in 2018), as well as remains jointly excavated by U.S. and North Korean forces from 1996 to 2005 and repatriated to the U.S., which were identified as Republic of Korea soldiers through a joint U.S.-Korea inspection.

President Yoon Personally Welcomes Remains... Highest Military Honors Including State-Level Gun Salute

Before the repatriation ceremony, President Yoon met with the family of the late Private Choi to offer condolences. The president said, "Although 73 years have passed, I consider it meaningful to bring the late Private Choi Im-rak back to the embrace of the homeland."

The late Private Choi was born in 1931 in Ulsan and voluntarily enlisted in the army at the age of 19 in August 1950. He was later assigned as a KATUSA to the U.S. 7th Infantry Division and participated in the Incheon Landing Operation. He heroically died in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir after landing at Iwon Port, South Hamgyong Province, in October 1950. The late Private Choi’s older brother, Sergeant Choi Sang-rak, also enlisted in the army in February 1949 and died fighting against the North Korean 5th Division in the Yeongdeok-Pohang battle in 1950.

The remains of the late Private Choi were personally received in Hawaii by his nephew, Sergeant Choi Jong-ho, who is serving in the navy, and returned together. The "Patriotic Brothers," Sergeant Choi and Private Choi, will be buried at Daejeon National Cemetery following consultations with their family regarding burial procedures.

On the day, President Yoon, along with attendees, lined up in front of the special transport aircraft and welcomed the fallen soldiers with a 21-gun salute and a military salute according to military honors. The youngest brother of the late Private Choi, Choi Yong (79 years old), read a letter in front of the coffin, after which President Yoon awarded the late Private Choi a war participation medal. President Yoon saluted until the hearse departed Seoul Airport for the National Seoul National Cemetery, showing respect to the hero.

On the afternoon of the 26th, the remains of fallen soldiers of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces arrived at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and were unloaded from the Air Force multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft Cygnus (KC-330).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon: "We Will Make Every Effort Until Patriotic Heroes Return to Their Families"

The repatriation ceremony was planned based on President Yoon’s determination to "create a country that respects and remembers those who sacrificed for the nation and its people." Earlier, President Yoon stated, "A country that does not properly remember those who dedicated themselves to the homeland has no future," and "I will do my best to build a Republic of Korea that respects and remembers those who have dedicated and sacrificed for the nation and its people."

President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes the remains of the Republic of Korea soldiers who died in the Korean War, arriving at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 26th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In his Memorial Day address last June, he also said, "The Republic of Korea stands on the sacrifices and dedication of those who devoted themselves to building a free democratic nation and defended freedom against communist totalitarian forces," and promised, "It is the state's duty to remember and honor the uniformed heroes who risked everything to protect the country and the safety of its people, and we will do our best to ensure that these heroes and their families do not lose courage or pride."

He also mentioned the repatriation of the remains of fallen soldiers. At that time, President Yoon said, "Many remains of fallen Republic of Korea soldiers have yet to return to their families," and "We will make every effort until patriotic heroes can return to their families." He added, "Remembering and honoring the dedication and sacrifice of heroes who answered the nation's call and dedicated themselves to freedom and peace confirms that we are all owners and sovereigns of this country."

The government plans to continue making every effort to repatriate the remains of fallen Republic of Korea soldiers. Among the seven sets of remains repatriated that day, except for the late Private Choi, the identities of the other six sets of remains, which have not yet been confirmed, will be verified through record analysis, detailed examination, and DNA testing in the future.

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