By Kim Young Shin

North Korea and the U.S. agreed to resume the search and return of remains of U.S. service members that went missing during the Korean War (1950-1953). The field operations in North Korea to search for the remains halted in 2005 and are about to start again now after 13 years.

"The U.S. and North Korea agreed to re-commence field operations in the DPRK to search for the estimated 5,300 Americans who never returned home,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his statement on July 15. “Working level meetings between U.S. and North Korean officials will begin on Monday, July 16, to coordinate the next steps, including the transfer of remains already collected in the DPRK.”

The two sides agreed to return the remains of U.S. service members killed during the Korean War during the Singapore Summit held on June 12. General officer-level talks were held on July 15 to fulfill one of the commitments made during the summit. It is the first general officer-level talks between the U.S. and North Korea in nine years, since 2009.

ysk1111@korea.kr