Police Officer Killed in the Korean War, Interred at Daejeon National Cemetery After 74 Years

Funeral Ceremony Presided Over by the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency

A police officer who died fighting against North Korean forces during the Korean War was laid to rest in the National Cemetery 74 years later.

The funeral ceremony for police officers who died in the Korean War is being held at Daejeon National Cemetery.
[Photo by National Police Agency]

The National Police Agency announced that on the 27th at 3 p.m., a burial ceremony was held at the National Daejeon Cemetery for the remains of a police officer identified through the Korean War fallen soldiers' remains excavation project. In the early stages of the Korean War, the number of South Korean troops in the Chungcheong and Honam regions was significantly insufficient, so police units carried out operations to block the southward advance.

The late Sergeant Kim Myeong-son participated in the Battle of Samhak-ri in Yeonggwang to block the North Korean forces advancing along the west coast. This battle is significant as 200 police officers from the Jeonnam Police Department delayed the southward advance of over 1,000 soldiers from the North Korean 6th Division.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, attended the interment ceremony of the remains of police officers who died in the Korean War at Daejeon National Cemetery.
[Photo by National Police Agency]

The burial ceremony was hosted by the National Police Agency and attended by about 100 people, including the bereaved family, Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, the Commissioner of the Jeonnam Police Agency, the Director of the National Daejeon Cemetery, the Director of the Ministry of National Defense's Remains Excavation and Identification Team, and family organizations. The fallen officer's remains were interred in the Chung-hon Hall at the National Daejeon Cemetery, and police officers accompanied the bereaved family from their home in Gwangju until their return, conducting the ceremony with the utmost respect.

The bereaved family said, "We were saddened that the remains had not been found until now, but it feels like a miracle has happened. We are extremely happy and proud of our father who devotedly served the country," and added, "We hope the government continues to pay attention to honoring fallen police officers in the future."

The National Police Agency stated, "Every year on June 6, we hold various events such as the Memorial Ceremony for Fallen and Retired Police Officers," and added, "We will continue efforts such as the remains excavation project and maintenance of memorial facilities to find all Korean War fallen police officers and honor their meritorious service."