국가보훈부

Minister Pi Woo-jin of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said "the bereaved family members of the fallen Korean War heroes will visit the Arrowhead Hill, located in Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), on May 29 to see the KIA recovery site."

Although the ministry's initial plan was to take the bereaved family members to a KIA recovery site in Morak Mountain in Uiwang-si, the ministry will take them to Arrowhead Hill with the support from the Ministry of National Defense.
*Battle of Arrowhead Hill: located in Daema-ri, Cheorwon-eup, Gangwon Province. The Arrowhead Hill is 3km southwest of the White Horse Hill and it is shaped like an arrowhead. From November 1951 to July 11, 1953, there were four battles on the hill and the UN allied forces ultimately gained victory against the Chinese communist forces. The ROK army, 2nd Division of the US Army, and the French army fought in the battle.

The visit to the Arrowhead Hill was planned to deliver a message of hope to the bereaved family members who have long been waiting for the return of their loved ones who will always be remembered and to show them that the Korean government is focusing its efforts to recover the remains of their loved ones.

From the first day of April to May 27, 325 pieces of remains and 23,055 articles were found. In particular, 5 bulletproof vests of US soldiers and a dog tag of a French soldier was found on the site as well.

The Ministry of National Defense estimates that the remains of approximately 200 Korean soldiers and 100 US and French soldiers are buried in this area. An official from the Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recently visited the Arrowhead Hill and shared relevant information needed in recovering the remains of US soldiers and pledged to strengthen cooperation with the Korean counterpart in analyzing the recovered remains and articles. This measure is part of the preparation of joint recovery operations between the two Koreas after the signing of September 19 Military Agreement. At the moment, demining operations and preparation for joint recovery operation are underway.

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has invited 50 bereaved family members of the fallen US Korean War heroes to Korea starting from May 26 to May 31. After arriving on May 26, the bereaved family members paid tribute in the Seoul National Cemetery on May 27. The next day, they will attend the Honor and Tribute Ceremony for the Fallen Korean War Heroes held at the War Memorial of Korea.

The Honor and Tribute Ceremony for the Fallen Korean War Heroes will be attended by Minister Pi Woo-jin of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, officials from United States Forces Korea and embassies of UN sending states to Korea, and Korean veterans. The ceremony will be held to ease the sorrow of the bereaved family members and to show them that the sacrifices of their loved ones are not in vain.

In particular, after the ceremony, the bereaved familiy members will visit the Wall of Rememberance for brass-rubbing of the names of their loved ones and will see the special exhibition organized by the Ministry of National Defense.

On May 29, the bereaved family members will attend the Nevada Outpost Battle Commemoration Ceremony hosted by the 25th Division of ROK army and enjoy the Tribute and Commemoration Banquet hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on May 30. The bereaved family members will leave Korea on May 31.  

The Revisit Korea Program aims to express Korea's appreciation for the noble sacrifice and contribution of the those who are unaccounted for and has contributed significantly in improving Korea image as a country that never forgets the devotion of UN veterans of the Korean War.