One Repatriated Korean War POW Passes Away... Only Seven Survivors Remain in South Korea

Captured During the 1953 Geumseong Battle
Forced to Work in North Korean Coal Mines, Escaped and Returned in 2008

One repatriated Korean War prisoner of war passed away on May 8.

The Ministry of National Defense announced on May 9 that Mr. A, a repatriated Korean War POW, died at 11:47 a.m. the previous day. The deceased's name was not disclosed at the request of the bereaved family.

On the 31st, one day before the Month of Patriots and Veterans, a mourner visiting the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, is moving toward the burial site. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

In response, Kim Sunho, Acting Minister of National Defense, sent a condolence wreath to the funeral home the previous day. The Director General for National Defense Policy visited the funeral home on this day to pay respects and offer condolences to the bereaved family.

The deceased was captured by North Korean forces during the Geumseong Battle in Gangwon Province in 1953, during the Korean War. He was forced to work in coal mines in North Korea before escaping in 2008 and returning to South Korea. Soldiers from the 6th Division, his original unit, and the 17th Division, its sister unit, also visited the funeral home to pay their respects and express their condolences.

Since the return of the late Lieutenant Cho Changho in 1994, a total of 80 Korean War POWs have been repatriated. With the passing of this individual, there are now seven repatriated Korean War POWs currently living in South Korea. The Ministry of National Defense stated, "We will continue to provide full honors and support to the repatriated Korean War POWs."

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