72 Years After Being Shot and Falling... Korean War Veteran's Military Boots Remain Unworn and Intact

Ministry of National Defense Uncovers Over 13,000 Remains in 22 Years

A photo containing the remains of ROK soldiers presumed to have died in the Dabudong Battle during the Korean War. Photo by Chilgok County [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A photo of the remains of a South Korean soldier who was shot and killed in a crouched position during the Battle of Dabudong in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, during the Korean War has been released.

Kim Jae-wook, the governor of Chilgok-gun, recently posted a photo on his Facebook of skeletal remains lying in a crouched position after being shot during the Korean War. Despite more than 70 years passing, the soldier's military boots are so well preserved that their shape is still recognizable.

Governor Kim said, "Although the body of the veteran in the photo has turned to skeleton, perhaps because of the desperate desire to return home, the boots have not decayed and remain intact even after 72 years. How scared and homesick must he have been at that moment? I will remember these undecayed boots forever."

The soldier in the photo is presumed to have died in the battle at Yongsu-ri 572 Hill, Gasan-myeon, Chilgok-gun in 1950. The remains were excavated by soldiers of the 50th Army Division, Chilgok Battalion, on the 28th of last month.

The Ministry of National Defense has excavated over 13,000 remains nationwide through a recovery project started in 2000. About 10% of these were excavated in Chilgok-gun. During the "Chilgok Area Korean War Fallen Soldiers Remains Excavation Operation," conducted from August 16 to last month 30, eight sets of remains and over 1,000 items including ammunition and grenades were found. However, among the remains excavated over 22 years, less than 2% have been identified and returned to their families.