141 Unidentified Korean War Soldiers Honored in Seoul’s Moving Tribute

Decades after the war, families still wait for answers. This year’s tribute in Seoul marks another step toward healing—and the relentless search for the missing.

, and Administrator

2025 December 15 . 7:34 PM

1 min read

In the center of the picture there is a gravestone. In this picture there are dry leaves, soil and... — In the center of the picture there is a gravestone. In this picture there are dry leaves, soil and a plant.

141 Unidentified Korean War Soldiers Honored in Seoul’s Moving Tribute

A joint ceremony honoured 141 unidentified soldiers killed during the Korean War. The event took place at Seoul National Cemetery on Monday, attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back. The remains had been recovered from 34 former battlefields across South Korea earlier in 2025.

Excavation efforts for Korean War remains have been ongoing since 2000. Around 11,000 sets of remains have been unearthed so far, with 268 soldiers formally identified. The latest phase included 25 sets found at White Horse Ridge in Cheorwon, Gangwon—marking the first recovery on the South's side of the DMZ in three years.

The unidentified remains will remain under government care until identification is possible. The ongoing excavation project continues to recover soldiers lost during the war. This year's ceremony highlighted the persistent efforts to bring closure to families still awaiting answers.