President Moon, who first oversaw the Korea-US hazardous materials transfer... "'Declaration of the End of War,' a new hope and courage" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in, as the first president in history to preside over the 'Korea-US Mutual Remains Transfer Ceremony,' stated, "The declaration of the end of the war will be a new hope and courage not only for the Korean Peninsula but for all those who wish for peace."

On the 22nd (local time), at the 'Korea-US Mutual Remains Transfer Ceremony' held at Hangar 19 of Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii, President Moon said, "What the heroes desire most is 'complete peace on the Korean Peninsula.'"

President Moon said, "In my earlier speech at the United Nations General Assembly, I proposed that the parties involved in the Korean War come together to open a new era of 'reconciliation and cooperation' along with the declaration of the end of the war," adding, "'Sustainable peace' is the dream embedded in the founding of the United Nations, and the 'declaration of the end of the war' will be a new hope and courage for all those who wish for peace beyond the Korean Peninsula."

He continued, "The Korea-US alliance, forged through the blood and dedication of veterans, has developed into a comprehensive alliance sharing values across politics, economy, society, and culture, including freedom and peace, democracy and human rights, and the rule of law," and added, "The efforts of both Korea and the US to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establish permanent peace will continue unwaveringly."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon expressed gratitude by saying, "During the Korean War, 1.95 million young people from 22 countries around the world came to the Korean Peninsula for peace in a distant land that was almost unknown," emphasizing, "The United States participated in the war as if defending its own country. 36,595 US soldiers and 7,174 KATUSA soldiers sacrificed their lives for the freedom and peace of people they had never met."

He added, "The Republic of Korea has grown enough to share international challenges based on the sacrifices and dedication of UN veterans," and said, "I feel infinite pride and honor to be able to report the growth of the Republic of Korea to the heroes."

About 200 Korean and US officials attended this mutual transfer ceremony, and six remains of US soldiers who died in the Korean War were repatriated to their homeland, while 68 remains of South Korean soldiers awaiting repatriation in Hawaii were brought back to Korea.

President Moon said, "It is a great honor to be able to personally welcome the return of heroes as the first Korean president," and expressed, "I pay tribute to the sixty-eight Korean military heroes and five US military heroes who sacrificed for the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, and offer my deepest condolences to their families."

He also stated, "The government will continue efforts to find soldiers who have not yet returned to their families, including those in the Demilitarized Zone," and emphasized, "I believe that humanitarian cooperation among South Korea, North Korea, and the US for the excavation of remains will serve as an opportunity to heal the wounds of war and move toward reconciliation and cooperation."