Joint Burial Ceremony Held for 11 Korean War Heroes: "Every Last Hero Will Be Returned Home"

A joint burial ceremony was held for 11 national heroes who perished during the Korean War.

The Army announced that from June 16 to 18, joint burial ceremonies for the remains of Korean War casualties were solemnly held at the National Yeongcheon Cemetery, the National Daejeon Cemetery, and the National Seoul Cemetery.

On June 16, a ceremony for one hero was held at the National Yeongcheon Cemetery, presided over by Major General Jung Yusu, commander of the 50th Infantry Division. On the same day, a ceremony for three heroes was held at the National Daejeon Cemetery, presided over by General Ko Changjun, acting Army Chief of Staff. At the National Seoul Cemetery, a ceremony for seven heroes was held, presided over by Lieutenant General Kim Hobok, acting commander of the Capital Defense Command.

According to the wishes of the bereaved families, the remains of three heroes?Sergeant Oh Duyong, Sergeant Kim Younggi, and Private First Class Joo Youngjin?were interred at the National Daejeon Cemetery. The remains of seven heroes?Corporal Kim Ikjang, Corporal Lee Chankyu, Sergeant First Class Jung Inhak, Private First Class Kim Seokyeon, Sergeant Kang Seongsun, Sergeant Ham Sangseop, and Private First Class Cho Youngho?were interred at the Seoul National Cemetery. The remains of Private First Class Park Yongsoo were interred at the National Yeongcheon Cemetery, where his younger brother, Park Kwangsoo, a Vietnam War veteran who passed away last year, is also laid to rest.

Their remains were recovered from various front and rear battlefields where fierce fighting took place during the Korean War, between 2000 and 2024. Their identities were ultimately confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification through DNA samples provided by participating family members.

Sergeant Oh Duyong was born in 1931 in Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, as the fourth of three sons and two daughters. He was killed in action on August 3, 1951, during the Battle of Hill 734 at Jeokgeunsan, fighting against a large Chinese force. Sergeant Kim Younggi was born in 1931 in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, and was killed in action during the Geumseong District Battle in July 1953, just days before the armistice. Private First Class Joo Youngjin was born in 1932, volunteered as a student soldier, and was killed in action just six days later during the Giche·Angang Battle in August 1950.

Corporal Kim Ikjang was born in 1930 in Okgu-gun, Jeollabuk-do (now Gunsan City), and volunteered for service at the outbreak of the Korean War. Serving with the 1st Division, he participated in rear-area mop-up operations and the advance to the 38th parallel, and was killed in action in October 1950 at the age of 20. Corporal Lee Chankyu, born in 1923, was killed in action during the Baekseonsan Battle in October 1951. His wife waited for him her entire life but passed away in 2019 at the age of 91.

Sergeant First Class Jung Inhak was born in 1932 in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, and was killed in action during the Jeokgeunsan-Samhyeon District Battle in July 1953. Private First Class Kim Seokyeon, born in 1922, was killed in action during the Chosin Reservoir Battle in 1950. Sergeant Kang Seongsun was born in 1931 and was killed in action on the very day the Korean War broke out, during the Uncheon-Pocheon-Uijeongbu Battle. Sergeant Ham Sangseop, born in 1925, participated in the Jeokgeunsan-Samhyeon District Battle in July 1953 and was killed in fierce combat.

Private First Class Cho Youngho, born in 1929, was killed in action during the Jeokgeunsan-Samhyeon District Battle in July 1953. His second eldest brother, Cho Eulho, also fought in the Korean War, while his fourth younger brother, Cho Imho, volunteered as a soldier and returned home, only to be killed by armed guerrillas. His eldest brother, Cho Kyunho, was forcibly conscripted by the Japanese, meaning all the brothers experienced the tumultuous modern history of Korea. Private First Class Park Yongsoo, born in 1928, fought in the Yangyang-Gangneung Battle and was killed in action fighting against North Korean forces.

In his memorial address, General Ko Changjun, acting Army Chief of Staff, stated, "All Army personnel will devote themselves to fulfilling the mission of the armed forces so that the Republic of Korea, protected by the noble sacrifice and dedication of our predecessors, may shine even brighter." He added, "We will do our utmost to return the remains of every last national hero who has yet to be found to their families."