SEOUL: South Korea has returned the remains of 12 Chinese soldiers who died during the Korean War, marking another step in ongoing efforts to honor war casualties from the 1950–53 conflict.
According to Beyond Time News, the handover took place at Incheon International Airport during a formal ceremony. South Korean Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee and China’s Vice Minister of Veterans Affairs Xu Yao jointly attended the event.
The Korean War left heavy losses on both sides, including Chinese troops who fought alongside North Korea against South Korea and its allies. The latest return highlights continued cooperation between Seoul and Beijing on humanitarian matters linked to the war.
Long-running repatriation effort
South Korea has now returned a total of 1,023 sets of Chinese soldiers’ remains since 2014. Both countries signed an agreement that year to ensure the respectful repatriation of fallen troops.
Officials say the process reflects a shared commitment to honoring war dead and improving bilateral relations over time.
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Sign of improving ties
The Defense Ministry in South Korea noted that this year’s ceremony was held publicly for the first time in three years. It said the event reflects improving diplomatic ties between South Korea and China.
Authorities also confirmed that efforts to recover and return remains will continue in the future as part of ongoing cooperation between the two countries.
The Korean War remains one of the most significant conflicts in modern Asian history, and repatriation efforts continue to serve as an important bridge for reconciliation decades later.
