South Korean soldier repatriation held at Hickam
1/11
Swipe or click to see more
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Republic of Korea held a Repatriation Ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The ceremony will honor 64 fallen South Korean soldiers who fought during the Korean War.
2/11
Swipe or click to see more
The 64 sets of remains were recovered during joint recovery operations in North Korea between 1996 and 2005.
3/11
Swipe or click to see more
The MAKRI (Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA (Killed In Action) Recovery and Identification) Commander Colonel Hak Ki Lee signs the repatriation papers. He is the last of the four to sign. The others are standing (l-r): United Nations Command Chief of Staff Major Gen. Mark Gillette, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (also known as DPAA) Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon C. Keitz and The Vice Minster of National Defense Choo Suk Suh.
4/11
Swipe or click to see more
Major General Sangbum Shin, left, shakes hands with WWII and Korean War vet. Lucio Sanico.
5/11
Swipe or click to see more
These are the 63 of 64 remains that are already on the plane.
6/11
Swipe or click to see more
This is the last box of remains about to be taken to a table where the United Nations flag will be replaced by a South Korean flag and then loaded onto the plane.
7/11
Swipe or click to see more
The United Nations flag is removed from the box of remains and folded. The South Korean flag was then placed over the box of remains and taken aboard the airplane to join the other 63 boxes of remains.
8/11
Swipe or click to see more
Cpl. Ty Austin Walker plays taps after the last box of 64 remains were loaded onto the plane. The official party is behind the plane as they escorted the last box of remains.
9/11
Swipe or click to see more
The remains were commingled with U.S. remains at the time of recovery. Twenty years later, with improvements in technology and advancements in forensic science methodologies, DPAA scientists were able to identify them as South Korean nationals.
10/11
Swipe or click to see more
Kun Hong Im (left) and Kim Young (from MAKR: Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA (Killed In Action) Recovery and Identification, South Korea) salute as they stand in front of the South Korean remains the first time they walk aboard the aircraft before the ceremony begins. They would later accept the last of the remains and take the box of remains aboard the plane to conclude the ceremony.
11/11
Swipe or click to see more
Col. (Ret.) Charles McDaniel, Jr. was the keynote speaker. He and his brother Larry are the surviving sons of Master Sgt. Charles H. McDaniel, Sr. who was killed in combat in Nov. 1050 during the Korean War. Master Sgt. McDaniel's "dog tag" was recently returned by the North Koreans amongst 55 boxes of human remains. This is the Presentation of Colors to start the ceremony.
Child & Family Service working to break generational poverty in Hawaii
Massive delays expected for shipments from Mexico to the U.S.
Police arrest University of Texas at Austin protesters
At least 4 dead in Oklahoma tornadoes
Back in the Day: Photos from Hawaii’s Past
Celebration of life held for veteran journalist Emme Tomimbang Burns
Moanalua sweeps team titles at state judo championships
Community members remind motorists to drive safe
Volunteers remove trash in Waipahu
Subscriber Favorites
Japan’s yen surges against dollar on suspected intervention
8 officers shot, 4 fatally, while serving warrant in Charlotte
Philips settles CPAP breathing device lawsuits for $1.1B
Hawaii fan favorite Keoni Thiim enters the transfer portal
Taulia Tagovailoa, Chevan Cordeiro in Seahawks’ camp
More Photo Galleries
Child & Family Service working to break generational poverty in Hawaii
Massive delays expected for shipments from Mexico to the U.S.
Police arrest University of Texas at Austin protesters
At least 4 dead in Oklahoma tornadoes
Back in the Day: Photos from Hawaii’s Past
