N. Korea returns remains of US war dead
SEOUL: A US military aircraft flew the remains of over 50 American servicemen out of North Korea, prompting a personal “thank you” from Donald Trump to Kim Jong-un.
The return of the remains yesterday – on the 65th anniversary of the end of the Korean War – marked the partial fulfilment of an agreement reached between the US president and North Korean leader at their summit in Singapore last month.
“After so many years, this will be a great moment for so many families. Thank you to Kim Jong-un,” Trump said in a tweet.
The White House said it was “encouraged” by the “momentum for positive change”.
“Today’s actions represent a significant first step to recommence the repatriation of remains from North Korea and resume field operations in North Korea to search for the estimated 5,300 Americans who have not yet returned home,” it said.
After leaving the North Korean port city of Wonsan, the C-17 cargo plane landed at the Osan Air Base in South Korea.
The plane came to a halt next to a group of 10 honour guards carrying the flags of the United Nations, United States and South Korea.
After the rear door was opened, other guards went aboard and re-emerged, each carrying a box draped in a white and blue UN flag.
They then slowly walked to awaiting vans, put the boxes in the vehicles and saluted, before the vans left the scene.
More than 35,000 Americans were killed on the Korean Peninsula during the war, out of which 7,700 are still considered missing, including 5,300 in North Korea alone, according to the Pentagon.