Late National Hero Jeon Wonsik Returns to Family After 70 Years... 'Homecoming Ceremony' in Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk

157th Since the Excavation of the Remains of the 6.25 War Dead

The photo shows the belongings of Private Jeon Won-sik.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongsangbuk-do will hold a repatriation ceremony for the national hero, the late Private Jeon Won-sik (a Korean War casualty), at 2 p.m. on the 20th in the main conference room of Cheongdo County Office, hosted by the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Excavation and Identification Team (Director Heo Uk-gu).

The event will be attended by more than 30 people, including six bereaved family members, Hwang Ki-chul, Commissioner of the National Veterans Affairs, Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, Kim Ha-su, Chairman of the Administrative, Health and Welfare Committee of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, Provincial Assemblyman Park Kwon-hyun, Lee Seon-hee, Vice Chairman of the Planning and Economy Committee, Lee Seung-yul, Mayor of Cheongdo County, Kim Su-tae, Chairman of Cheongdo County Council, Kim Dong-su, Commander of the 50th Division, and heads of veterans organizations in the Cheongdo area.

The repatriation ceremony will begin with a march from the entrance of the main conference room at Cheongdo County Office to the front of the event hall, followed by the delivery of the identity confirmation notice, a report on the identity confirmation process, the presentation of the 'Spirit of National Defense' box, and a flower offering.

The late Private Jeon Won-sik is presumed to have died in battle in February 1951 during the Korean War, leaving behind his wife and two-year-old daughter, while serving in the 10th Regiment of the 8th Division of the Republic of Korea Army in the Gapyeong area.

The remains of the late Private Jeon Won-sik were discovered in October 2015 in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, in a complete form including the skull, along with 23 personal effects such as buttons, pins, and a comb. Subsequently, in November 2019, a genetic comparison analysis was conducted with the DNA of the deceased’s child (daughter), confirming the family relationship.

The identification of the late Private Jeon Won-sik marks the 157th case since the Korean War remains excavation project began in April 2000. After consultation with the bereaved family, the remains are scheduled to be interred at the National Cemetery in mid-June.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "I hope that many national heroes whose remains have yet to be found will return to their families as soon as possible. Gyeongbuk Province will take the lead in researching and re-examining the war that took place on this land, while also fostering a culture that sincerely honors veterans and their descendants."