Metal relics such as firearms, helmets, and canteens
Including relics of four identified fallen soldiers
The Cultural Heritage Conservation Science Center of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced on the 1st that it will scientifically preserve and treat twenty-two relics recovered by the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Recovery and Identification Unit from the excavation site of fallen soldiers from the Korean War by the end of this year. These are metal relics such as firearms, helmets, and canteens. Utilizing advanced cultural heritage preservation technologies, they plan to minimize additional damage, deterioration, and corrosion, and scientifically process the items before returning them to the Ministry of National Defense.
Since 2020, the Cultural Heritage Administration has been conducting preservation projects for the relics of fallen soldiers in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense. Previously, the Ministry of National Defense handled preservation independently, but as excavation areas expanded, the volume of relics increased, reaching a limit. The Cultural Heritage Administration prioritizes preservation support for selected relics with high value for exhibition, education, and research. Over the past three years, the number of relics from remains excavations that have undergone this process has reached 1,330.
In July, the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Recovery and Identification Unit requested preservation treatment for twenty-two items including helmets, mess tins, spoons, and ammunition pouches from the Cultural Heritage Administration. Among these are seven relics belonging to four identified fallen soldiers: the late Private Kim Hyuntaek, the late Private Kim Younggyu, the late Private Choi Bonggeun, and the late Corporal Song Byungseon.
The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "We will fulfill our joint national responsibility toward the patriotic martyrs by supporting the recovery of relics at excavation sites, expanding preservation treatment support, providing technical advice related to preservation, and supporting preservation education, while also expanding cooperation for the peace zone initiative in the Demilitarized Zone."
Meanwhile, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will hold an academic conference next month together with the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Recovery and Identification Unit and the War Memorial of Korea to raise awareness of the preservation process and its significance over the past three years. A special exhibition will also be organized to publicly display the preserved relics of fallen soldiers. A representative of the institute stated, "Going forward, we will continue to approach preservation with due respect, based on the rich experience and top-level expertise of cultural heritage preservation specialists who have handled national treasures and treasures."
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