President Moon Jae-in on June 25 gives a speech at an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak.

By Xu Aiying and Lee Jihae
Photos = Yonhap News

President Moon on June 25 said, "We will continuously search for routes that are mutually beneficial for both Koreas through peace."

Speaking at an evening event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak at Seoul Air Base, he pledged that the country will "never allow even a handspan of our territory on land, sea and in the air to be violated again."

The event was held alongside a ceremony for the repatriation of the remains of 147 fallen soldiers during the Korean War.

President Moon directly welcomed the soldiers' return home after 70 years.

Under the theme "For Heroes," the event paid tribute to all those devoted to defending their country during the war.

The remains of the soldiers were confirmed through a Korea-U.S. joint investigation conducted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency under the U.S. Defense Department. The identities of seven soldiers killed in the Battle of Jangjin Reservoir were confirmed, so their families attended the event.

"These valiant warriors have now returned to us after 70 years – their rank insignias of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces belatedly restored," the president said. "We will never give up the efforts to find the remaining 123,000 fallen soldiers who were unable to be returned to us until the day they can be reunited with their families."

"Placed on the memorial altar today are the remains of six American soldiers we have found and will return to the United States. Our people will never forget the sacrifices of the Korean War veterans from each of the 22 participating United Nations member countries, including the United States."

Video messages were also played at the event from the leaders of 22 countries that fought for South Korea, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and the Netherlands. U.S. President Donald Trump in his message thanked all those who "bravely fought" to block communism and gave his congratulations.

The ambassadors in Seoul of all 22 countries that took part in the Korean War attended the event in their heads of state's stead and reaffirmed international solidarity.

President Moon Jae-in (left) on June 25 attends at Seoul Air Base an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Korean War's outbreak, placing badges of service on the remains of fallen soldiers and paying a silent tribute.