Members of a Chinese honor guard convey coffins containing the remains of Chinese war dead to a transport plane during a hand-over ceremony at Incheon International Airport on March 20.
The remains of 68 fallen mainland Chinese soldiers that were excavated last year from some of the fiercest battlefields of the Korean War (1950-1953) have now returned home.
Korea and China held a hand-over ceremony at the Incheon International Airport on March 20, sending the 68 remains back to their homeland.
Korean service members hand over to the Chinese side coffins containing the remains of fallen Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War, at Incheon International Airport on March 20.
Among those in attendance at the ceremony were Korean Vice Minister of National Defense Baek Seung-joo, Chinese Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei and other representatives from both countries.
“This hand-over is a significant moment in the relationship between Korea and China for two reasons: first, it builds trust between the two countries, fulfilling a promise that President Park Geun-hye made to send the remains home during a 2013 summit with her Chinese counterpart; second, it serves as a stepping stone to bring bilateral trust one notch higher. Such trust allows the two countries to march toward a brighter future together, as historical issues have been swiftly dealt with in a humanitarian manner,” said Vice Minister of National Defense Baek Seung-joo.
The vice minister went on to say that, “Handing over the remains serves as a great occasion to help the two countries stand out as 'friends who march forward together,' not merely as countries that are pursuing national growth. As this year marks the 70th anniversary of both independence and the division of the Korean Peninsula, this repatriation will, hopefully, be dedicated to enhancing bilateral ties and to bringing peace across the peninsula as well.”
Korean Vice Minister of National Defense Baek Seung-joo (left) speaks during a hand-over ceremony on March 20. Next to him is Chinese Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei.
In response, Chinese Vice Minister of Civil Affairs Dou Yupei said that, “This event is a good example of the growing relationship and cooperation efforts between the two countries. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the Korean government, to the people and to the local media for showing amicability and for making an effort to make this happen.”
The 68 remains on their way home will be reinterred in a state cemetery for the war dead in Shenyang, in Liaoning Province, to lie alongside another 437 remains of Chinese soldiers that were repatriated last year.
By Jeon Han, Sohn JiAe
Photos: Jeon Han
Korea.net Staff Writers
hanjeon@korea.kr
Officials from the two sides sign a hand-over agreement to repatriate the remains of Chinese soldiers, at Incheon International Airport on March 20.
A Chinese honor guard conveys coffins containing the remains of fallen Chinese soldiers, during a hand-over ceremony on March 20.
