S. Korea returns Chinese soldiers’ remains despite THAAD row

SEOUL: Seoul yesterday repatriated the remains of 28 Chinese soldiers killed in the Korean War, despite a heated row between the two countries over a US missile defence system.

A row of goosestepping Chinese honour guards received lacquered wooden boxes, each containing one set of remains, from their counterparts during a ceremony at Incheon airport.

Beijing deployed millions of soldiers in the 1950- 53 conf lict, saving the fledging North from defeat by US- led UN forces and South Korea.

More than 180,000 Chinese soldiers are estimated to have died in the war.

“( We) appreciate the friendship and good will that South Korean people and media have shown regarding the repatriation of Chinese soldiers’ remains,” Sun Shaocheng, China’s vice- minister of civil affairs, was quoted as saying at the ceremony by Yonhap news agency.

A total of 569 sets of Chinese remains have been repatriated since the two countries reached an agreement on the issue three years ago, he noted. — AFP