Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Ministry of National Defense announces interim result of 60 days of remains excavation work
Remains found at Baekma Ridge were all ‘partial remains,’ and were found at over two times the depth of remains found at the Arrowhead Ridge recovery site; this indicates the severity of damage from battles
Articles found at Baekma Ridge included Molotov cocktails

The 26 sets of remains and 5132 articles of the fallen who had fought for the country during the Korean War were discovered during the excavation of remains at Baekma Ridge in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that has been taking place in accordance with the September 19 Military Agreement.

The Ministry of National Defense announced the interim result of the 60 days of remains excavation work on October 28, saying “The military has been working on the excavation of remains at Baekma Ridge in the DMZ, located in Cholwon-gun, Gangwon-do, since September 1 this year.” Following an on-site inspection, it is believed that the remains found near the ridge were Korean troops who died in the war, but identities will be confirmed through precise investigations and a DNA analysis from the MND Agency for Killed In Action (KIA) Recovery and Identification. 

Baekma Ridge, referred to as an unknown 395 ridge, was one of the most ferocious battlefields at the central front during October 1952, the middle of the Korean War. The 9th Division of the Republic of Korean Army engaged in a total of 12 attacks and defense combats against Chinese troops, which numbered more than three times the ROK troops, over ten days, and many ROK soldiers were killed in combat.

The 26 sets of remains discovered at Baekma Ridge were all partial remains, and were found at a depth almost twice as deep as the remains found at Arrowhead Ridge. This indicates the severity of damage from the attacks.

The ministry presumed that the partial remains were caused by a large number of artillery shells fired at Baekma Ridge.

“Remains and articles of soldiers were excavated from a depth of about 1.5 meters at Baekma Ridge, while remains and articles were excavated from a maximum depth of 60 centimeters at Arrowhead Ridge. It seems that the military camp dug deeper to capture an advantageous position and survive the shelling,” an official from the ministry said.

Articles found at Baekma Ridge include 4927 articles belonging to Korean soldiers, which represented 96% of all articles found, as well as 154 articles belonging to enemy troops (3%), and 51 unidentified articles. While the Molotov cocktails attracted attention, most of the 4980 articles were ammunition. “This indicates soldiers were in an urgent situation where they were forced to handle ammunition, during a fierce battle. It is believed that soldiers used combat tactics, such as encampment attack using firebombs,” the ministry said in a statement.

In the middle of November, the ministry plans to hear on-site testimony from nine veterans who participated in the battles at Baekma Ridge, with the aim of continuing the excavation of remains through a close investigation of the record of battles, testimony from war veterans, and the topographical features of Baekma Ridge.

“The recovery work at Baekma Ridge in the DMZ followed the conclusion of the excavation work at the nearby Arrowhead Ridge, which had been launched in accordance with the September 19 Military Agreement,” the ministry said in a statement, stressing “We are preparing to be ready to resume the joint inter-Korean remains excavation work at any time, and continue to encourage the North to join the joint excavation work stated in the September 19 Military Agreement.” The ministry also added “The government will continue to pursue excavation work in all areas, including the DMZ, until the last soldier killed in the Korean War has been returned to his family and home country.”

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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