The remains of the late Staff Sergeant Jeon Seung-nam (equivalent to current rank of sergeant), a national hero who gave his life defending the Republic of Korea during the Korean War at the age of 19, have been returned to his family after 75 years.
The Ministry of National Defense's Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification announced Wednesday that it had recovered and identified the remains of the late Staff Sgt. Jeon, who was killed in action while defending the country during the Korean War.
Born in 1931, the late serviceman voluntarily enlisted at the No. 1 Training Center on Jeju Island in May 1951, during a period of large-scale conscription at the height of the Korean War.
After completing training, he was assigned to the 10th Regiment of the ROK Army 8th Division. He participated in the Battle of Baekseoksan, a fierce engagement on the central-eastern front, and was killed in action on October 9 of the same year.
The Battle of Baekseoksan was fought by the ROK Army 7th and 8th Divisions against North Korean and Chinese forces to recapture strategic high ground around Baekseoksan in northern Yanggu County, Gangwon Province. The operation aimed to gain an advantage in armistice negotiations and to secure favorable terrain for the demarcation of the military demarcation line.
The remains were excavated in November 2024 in the Songhyeon-ri area of Bangsan-myeon, Yanggu County. His identity was recently confirmed through DNA analysis.
The Agency for KIA Recovery & Identification held a "Return of a National Hero" ceremony at the bereaved family's home on the same day, presenting the family with an official identification notice and personal effects.