Soil from the excavation site delivered to families of U.S. Korean War fallen soldiers

The soil from the area where the remains of a U.S. soldier who died during the Korean War were excavated has been delivered to the bereaved family.

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According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 27th, on the 26th (local time), the ministry presented soil from the excavation site in Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, along with a photo frame restored using AI (artificial intelligence), to the family of the late Corporal Luther Story at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall located in the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This event marked the occasion of the adoption of the "Joint Statement on the Identification of Korean War Casualties" by the leaders of South Korea and the United States.

Corporal Story died on September 1, 1950, during the Battle of Nakdong River, where he stayed alone at the front to cover his company’s withdrawal operation amid fierce combat with North Korean forces. For his valor, Corporal Story’s father was awarded the United States’ highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. His remains were identified on the 6th by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) under the U.S. Department of Defense.

At the consolation event, Story’s family representatives, including his niece Judy Wade and her husband, attended in person. The family representatives received direct condolences from the South Korean and U.S. leaders and their spouses, who had visited the Memorial Wall together the day before.

Ms. Wade said, "I am so happy to have confirmed my cousin’s remains after more than 70 years," adding, "It was deeply moving that the presidents of Korea and the United States comforted us together."

Park Min-sik, head of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, said, "Upon hearing the news of Corporal Story’s remains identification on the 6th, I was as happy as if it were my own matter. I thought about giving a meaningful gift to the family and, upon learning that the remains were excavated in Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, decided to deliver soil from that area."

In a joint statement on the 26th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden stated, "The great sacrifice and heroic spirit of Corporal Story explain the freedom, security, and prosperity that the Republic of Korea enjoys today." They added, "The two countries will continue efforts to find missing persons like Corporal Story and adopt this joint statement as an opportunity to reaffirm respect and gratitude for the warriors who showed courageous actions to protect freedom, values, and democracy."

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs arranged an empty table at President Yoon’s luncheon for U.S. Korean War veterans to honor the fallen and missing soldiers who did not return.

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