An American transport aircraft departed for North Korea Friday on a mission to pick up the remains of U.S. troops killed during the Korean War, according to a South Korean state news agency.
The plane left Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, shortly before 6 a.m. local time Friday and flew into Kalma Airport in Wonsan, Yonhap News Agency reported.
President Trump tweeted late Thursday confirming the operation and thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for honoring the deal made in Singapore last month.
“The Remains of American Servicemen will soon be leaving North Korea and heading to the United States! After so many years, this will be a great moment for so many families. Thank you to Kim Jong Un,” Trump wrote.
The Remains of American Servicemen will soon be leaving North Korea and heading to the United States! After so many years, this will be a great moment for so many families. Thank you to Kim Jong Un.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018
Kim and Trump agreed during their meeting in Singapore last month North Korea would turn over Americans’ remains to the U.S. Approximately 50 soldiers’ remains from the 1950s war were expected to be repatriated.
Friday is the 65th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended armed fighting in the Korean War and which may be followed by a peace treaty later this year.
Once the remains have been transported back to South Korea, they will be flown to the Defense Prisoners of War / Missing in Action Accounting Agency for inspection. They are also expected to undergo forensic testing in Hawaii.
