South Korea and United States Strengthen Cooperation on Korean War Veterans Affairs

South Korea and the United States are expanding their cooperation regarding veterans of the 1950 to 1953 Korean War through a new memorandum of understanding. The South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs is signing a preliminary agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense's POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to promote exchange programs for families of fallen service members, hold commemorative events, and increase information sharing. According to the ministry, 7,359 of the more than 1.78 million U.S. troops who served in the war remain unaccounted for.

These diplomatic efforts coincided with the International Conference on Veterans Affairs held in Washington, marking the first time the annual forum took place outside of South Korea. Approximately 200 officials from the U.S. South Korea, France, Turkey, the Philippines, and Thailand attended the event. South Korean Vice Veterans Minister Kang Yun-jin stated that the forum aimed to promote solidarity among the 22 nations that provided support during the war, particularly as the world faces security challenges and military threats from North Korea.

During the conference, Jennifer Walsh of the DPAA emphasized the agency's commitment to recovering fallen comrades, estimating that over 7,000 of the missing U.S. troops could be recovered. Diplomats from the U.S. and Canada also provided messages highlighting the shared values of freedom and peace that were established through the sacrifices of the veterans.