Cultural Heritage Administration Preserves and Treats 544 DMZ Korean War Artifacts

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage Handles Firearms, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage Manages Ammunition
Relics to Be Transferred by Next Month, "Preservation Treatment Completed by Year-End"

Arrowhead Ridge Remains Excavation and Artifact Recovery Site

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 10th that it will support the preservation treatment of personal effects of Korean War casualties recovered from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) around Hwaseolmari Hill in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do. These are 544 items such as helmets and canteens discovered at the excavation site of Korean War casualties within the DMZ by the Ministry of National Defense.

Hwaseolmari Hill in Cheorwon, which contained these personal effects, was designated as a joint excavation area for remains between South and North Korea under the "Military Agreement for the Implementation of the Historic Panmunjom Declaration" concluded between the two Koreas. From April to November last year, the Ministry of National Defense conducted basic excavation work, uncovering 2,030 skeletal remains and 67,476 personal effects including firearms, ammunition, combat gear, and individual belongings across 71 categories.

Preservation Treatment Support Target Item (Garand Rifle)

The Ministry of National Defense conducted preservation treatment on its own but faced limitations. This was due to the recent expansion of the excavation area, which increased the volume of personal effects to be preserved. When the preservation and management of these items and the utilization of historical resources were hindered, the Ministry requested cooperation from the Cultural Heritage Administration for preservation treatment in November last year. The Cultural Heritage Administration expressed a strong willingness to cooperate.

Preservation Treatment Support Target Item (Helmet)

The Cultural Heritage Administration will prioritize preservation treatment for 544 items across 69 cases among the previously recovered personal effects that have high value for exhibition, education, and research materials. By next month, the items will be transferred from the Ministry of National Defense to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage. Both institutions plan to complete the preservation treatment by the end of the year. The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will handle preservation treatment for 384 items across 68 cases including firearms, while the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage will be responsible for 160 ammunition items in one case.

Preservation Treatment Support Target Personal Effects (Water Bottle)

The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Hwaseolmari Hill in Cheorwon was a fierce battleground in 1953 where the South Korean and United Nations forces, including the French troops, fought intensely against the Chinese People's Volunteer Army." They added, "The excavation of remains is historically significant as it is the first case of remains excavation in the Demilitarized Zone." Furthermore, they stated, "We will fulfill our joint national responsibility to honor the patriotic martyrs through support for the recovery of personal effects at excavation sites, expansion of preservation treatment support, technical consultation related to preservation treatment, and educational support for preservation treatment. We will also expand cooperation for the government innovation task of transforming the Demilitarized Zone into a peace zone."