Army 22nd Division begins excavation of remains of Korean War dead at Kkachibongseo, Goseong, Gangwon-do

Implemented until November… “We will do our best to ensure that every last person returns to their families.”

(Goseong, Gangwon-do = Yonhap News) Reporter Ho-jun Ryu = The Army's 22nd Infantry Division begins excavating the remains of fallen soldiers in the Kkachibong area, Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, where fierce battles took place during the Korean War.

On the 2nd, the Army's 22nd Division held an opening ceremony to excavate the remains of those killed in the Korean War, hosted by Division Commander Kang Bong-il, at the Goseong Sports Complex.

About 60 people attended the event, including soldiers from the division's Victory Artillery Battalion participating in the remains excavation operation, the Ministry of National Defense's remains excavation and identification team, and officials from local organizations and veterans organizations.

Attendees paid tribute to the patriotic spirit and prayed for a successful excavation of the remains.

The Kkachibong area, the area subject to excavation of the remains, is where the ROK Army's 11th Division fought a fierce battle to secure a key point for a counteroffensive against the enemy's 15th Division in June 1951, when the Korean War was in full swing.

In the past, excavations of remains were carried out in this area and many remains and artifacts were discovered.

The 22nd Division plans to deploy approximately 100 soldiers to excavate remains for approximately six weeks from the 6th to November 13th.

In his memorial address, Division Commander Kang Bong-il said, "It is the responsibility of all of us to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and peace of this land and to return their remains to their families. We will do our best to excavate the remains so that every last one can return to their homeland and family."